Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is set to miss the Euro 2024 play-off against Finland, Cardiff manager Erol Bulut has revealed.
Ramsey made two substitute appearances for Cardiff earlier this month after spending five months out with a knee injury.
But Ramsey reported a calf problem last week and a scan has now shown that a tendon issue will rule him out until the end of March.
Wales play Finland in the play-off semi-final in Cardiff on March 21.
The winners will host Poland or Estonia in Cardiff five days later for a place at Euro 2024 this summer.
“The last time we spoke about Ramsey I got a report that it was a strain,” Bulut said after Cardiff’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn in the Sky Bet Championship.
“But yesterday (Monday) I hear it was a strain on the tendon. He will be available end of March.
“This is also a disappointing for us. I will support him every way I can. It’s not easy to be out for five months.
“He will be out for four to six weeks.”
Bulut bemoaned Cardiff’s failure in front of goal after drawing a blank for the fourth successive home game.
“Generally I am satisfied,” Bulut said. “Maybe you will ask, ‘Why?’ When we see the last weeks, we lost many points and games.
“It was not easy for my team to go out and play positively, because of the confidence which has been lost. Today it was important to get a bit of confidence back.
“This is the point where the confidence is not where we need it. It’s missing.
“Defensively we were good. The team was really working hard. In front of the goal is the issue. We create a lot, but don’t put the ball in the net and this continues.”
New Blackburn boss John Eustace suggested his players were too nice after Callum Britain’s effort struck the arm of Dimitrios Goutas during the second half.
Goutas’ arm was in an unnatural position, but Rovers players did not appeal and play was waved on.
Eustace said: “It did looked handball to me. We’ve got a really nice group of players and I would like to have seen them appeal a little bit more.
“It possibly goes to VAR in the Premier League and the players can be as nice as they want then.
“I’m delighted with a point and our first clean sheet in 17 games.
“It was important we stop goals going in because we’ve got the worst record in the league.
“It’s a big step to getting that togetherness and belief that we are really good team and we want to get to the 50-point mark as quickly as possible.”
