Bluebirds are hit by injury blow for loan man Etuhu.

Byline: Terry Phillips

KELVIN Etuhu has returned to Manchester City for treatment to ankle ligament damage suffered when crashing into advertising boards at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Winger Etuhu, who went on for Peter Whittingham during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday, finished the match.

But he went for a scan yesterday and Bluebirds boss Dave Jones confirmed: "Kelvin has ankle ligaments damage and is out for between six and eight weeks.

"He has gone back up to Manchester City to see their specialist.

"It's a big blow and Kelvin is absolutely devastated."

Jones is already scouring the loan market for a targetman, probably from a Premier League club.

He said: "I will speak to the chairman about loan players and see what can be done.

"But there won't be anybody in before Reading. We have to wait and see what the situation is with Kelvin and then take things from there."

Jones said Ross McCormack remains between "two to three weeks" away from fitness - despite the striker's claims that he could be back and available by this weekend.

"Ross is working with our fitness coach and is not back with the main squad yet," said Jones.

"If we can get him back quicker, that would be a big bonus for us.

"But Ross is probably a little behind schedule in his recovery.

"Kevin McNaughton is making good progress and will be back in around three or four weeks."

Jones is contemplating changes and could target central midfield, where Stephen McPhail and Solomon Taiwo are currently challenging Gavin Rae and Joe Ledley.

With Etuhu ruled out, Jones could call up McPhail or Taiwo and push Ledley onto the left flank.

Teenager Adam Matthews is also a challenger for a call-up at full-back.

"When you lose a couple of games on the trot it, enables you to change things," said Jones.

"If I think that's the right thing to do, I will change it.

"When you come off the back of a couple of losses, do you mix it up a bit and keep others on their toes?"