Jones poised to strengthen Cardiff

CARDIFF manager Dave Jones expects a flurry of transfer activity in the coming days after his thread bare squad were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield United yesterday.

A transfer embargo at the club was only lifted on Friday and Jones was able to name just four substitutes against the Blades.

Ched Evans put Kevin Blackwell’s side ahead but the visitors were reduced to 10 men when full-back Matthew Lowton was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Kevin McNaughton.

Michael Chopra fed Jay Bothroyd for a second-half leveller but Jones was left frustrated at the lack of a cutting edge.

He said: “Now the transfer embargo has been lifted I have spoken to the Malaysian owners who assure me that they are in for the long haul and recognise that players need to come into the club.

“I took a gamble by letting players go and waited for the club to be out of the embargo and I will be disappointed if another two players are not here in the next few days.

“I think we deserved more than a point as we dominated the second half but couldn’t break them down.’’

Blackwell was pleased to come away with a point and had no complaints about Lowton’s dismissal.

He said: “Considering we played for so long with 10 men, I have to be satisfied with the result.

“I cannot argue with the sending off, but it wasn’t malicious, and maybe a yellow card would have been enough as Matthew Lowton is only a young lad with very little experience.’’

Meanwhile, Nigel Clough settled a family score by coaching Derby to a 2-1 victory at Leeds on the opening Saturday of the npower Championship season – and he even employed a tactic his father Brian would have been proud of to galvanise his players.

Rams boss Clough stopped the Derby bus before it reached Elland Road, allowing his players to walk into the ground in a piece of management reminiscent of his late father, who managed Leeds for an infamous 44 days in 1974 having already led County to the league title.

Derby captain Robbie Savage said: “The gaffer stopped the coach and we walked to the ground through the Leeds fans and we showed no fear and not one Leeds fan said anything.”

Rob Hulse’s goal and Kris Commons’ penalty – either side of Luciano Becchio’s equaliser – proved enough for the Rams to condemn newly-promoted Leeds to their first opening-day defeat in 21 years.

Clough, who was given a frosty welcome by the home fans because of his late father Brian’s relationship with Leeds, did not take any particular pleasure in the victory.

“The result didn’t give me any special satisfaction because of my dad’s time at Leeds,” he said.

Two of the three teams relegated from the Premier League last season began with a victory and a clean sheet as Burnley and Hull both triumphed.

But Portsmouth, whose survival was ensured at the High Court on Thursday, lost 2-0 at Coventry.

Freddy Eastwood scored both of Coventry’s goals.

Chris Iwelumo was on target on his debut as Burnley beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 while Hull beat Swansea 2-0 thanks to goals from John Bostock and Ian Ashbee.

Rangers beat Barnsley 4-0 as Heidar Helguson, Adel Taarabt – both with penalties – Fitz Hall and Jamie Mackie hit the target.

David James’ Bristol City debut did not go as planned as the goalkeeper, whose most recent competitive appearance was as England exited the World Cup to Germany, was on the wrong end of Millwall’s 3-0 win at Ashton Gate.

Crystal Palace defeated Leicester 3-2, Doncaster won 2-0 at Preston and Scunthorpe claimed a 2-1 win at Reading.