Cardiff City could have three new players and a fourth returning superstar in their ranks when they resume their Championship campaign at Watford on Saturday.

 

Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey is set to return for his first match since September after taking time to fully recover from a knee injury.

 

That will be a huge boost to manager Erol Bulut, as could the three new signings Bulut managed to bring in on transfer deadline day.

 

Midfielder David Turnbull moved from Celtic in a £2m permanent deal, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was brought in on loan from Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City’s 21-year-old wing-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand arrived on loan for the rest of the season.

 

Turnbull, a five-cap Scottish international and former Motherwell player, made 100 league appearances for Celtic, winning the Scottish Premiership twice, along with two Scottish Cup titles and two Scottish League Cups.

 

“It’s been a long day or two, but I’m really glad to get it over the line and can’t wait to get started,” Turnbull said.

 

“When I heard of the interest, I was very keen. It’s a huge club. I’ve watched them in the past and want to be a part of it now and kick on.”

 

Horvath is a 28-year-old American international, who has nine caps for his country, and has been at the City Ground since July 2021, but has featured only 11 times for the club.

 

“He is an international player with the USA and got promoted from the Championship with Luton Town and Nottingham Forest,” said Bulut.

 

“He knows the league and that is important for a goalkeeper. Right now, with Jak Alnwick and Horvath, we have two great goalkeepers.

 

“It’s important, you cannot only have loan players. You have to sign permanent players. I think the next few years, the goal is safe here at Cardiff City.”

 

England U21 international Wilson-Esbrand spent the first half of the season on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims, where he made 11 appearances and scored one goal. The defender has made three first team appearances for Manchester City.

 

Swansea City were less busy but still managed deadline day moves for Arsenal forward Charles Sagoe Jr, on loan, and Norwich City’s Przemyslaw Placheta.

 

Polish winger Placheta completed a permanent move.  The 25-year-old has seven caps for his country and made 45 appearances for the Canaries after joining them in 2020.

 

Placheta featured at the delayed Euro 2020 finals and said of his move, “When I heard of the interest in me, I thought this would be a good place to become a better player.

 

“I want to help the team, it’s a very good team. I have seen a couple of games, and when I played against Swansea earlier this season, we lost 2-1, so I hope I can add something positive to this team.

 

“I am a winger, I am quite fast and I like to dribble and play direct football. I like to use my speed to put crosses into the box for players who can score.”

 

Swansea’s Kristian Pedersen has signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a loan deal until the end of the season.

 

The Swans could put both Sagoe and Placheta straight into their team for their home clash against Plymouth on Saturday.

 

After going out of the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers last week, Wrexham continue their League Two promotion surge away at Salford City.

 

Newport County – who gave a stirring display in their Cup defeat to Manchester United last weekend – are also back in league action, at home to Swindon Town.

 

There had been speculation that Will Evans – who scored against United – might be the subject of late transfer interest, but manager Graham Coughlan insists County’s new ownership under Huw Jenkins means they are under no pressure to sell players.

 

“We had previous bids in for two of our players that we turned down,” said Coughlan.

 

“On deadline day I think people knew that the lads weren’t going out. We made our stance clear, and it would have taken a hell of a lot of money if anybody wanted any of our players.