Cardiff City boss Neil Harris is hopeful that he will be able to call upon both Lee Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing when football gets back underway. 

Tomlin sustained a knee injury back in February, whilst Mendez-Laing has been ruled out of action since December 2019, when he ruptured his hamstring in a match against Sheffield Wednesday.

Cardiff have coped well without them though, and are in contention to challenge for a top-six finish in the Championship this term.

Speaking in a recent interview (quotes sourced from BBC Sport), Bluebirds boss Neil Harris issued a positive update on the pair, and revealed that they have returned to training.

"Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Lee Tomlin have become viable options for us when things start.

"They are healthy and back on the training pitch. Mendez-Laing has trained fully and Lee is on the training pitch doing pretty much everything he can to replicate what the players are in their groups."

Harris went on to reveal that he won't be taking chances on the fitness of Tomlin, before admitting that he is expecting them to be fit to feature in the matchday squad when competitive action does return.

"Tomlin has not had the time with the physio to replicate everything and we are making sure we are not taking it for granted that they will be fit.

"The questions supporters what to know is whether they will be ready, and we are certainly hopeful they will both be ready to start. If not, on the bench."

The Bluebirds are currently sat ninth in the Championship table, and are just two points adrift of the play-off places with nine matches remaining in this year's campaign.

With recent off-the-field events calling an abrupt halt to this year's league campaign, it has given some of Harris' squad much-needed time to work on their rehabilitation and make a timely return to the squad ahead of the conclusion of this season.

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The Verdict: 

This will be a real boost for Cardiff if they can both return to competitive action when the season gets back underway later this year.

Neil Harris is going to want to have all of his first team squad available for the remaining nine matches of this year's campaign, as they look to challenge for a top-six finish in the Championship.

Tomlin and Mendez-Laing will add some much-needed competition for places in Harris' squad for the final nine matches of this season.

It's a welcome selection dilemma to have for the Cardiff City boss.