Willock and Chambers poised for friendly action

New signings Chris Willock and Calum Chambers will feature for the first time in Cardiff City colours in Thursday’s friendly with Hertha Berlin (17:00 BST).

Forward Willock, 26, was Cardiff’s first signing of the summer window, agreeing a three-year deal having been out of contract after four years at Queens Park Rangers.

Former Arsenal defender Chambers, 29, followed soon after having been allowed to leave Premier League club Aston Villa.

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut says both will feature against the Bundesliga 2 side at Koasastadion, St Johann in Tirol – the last game of the Bluebirds’ Austrian training camp.

Bulut said: “They are not ready to play from the start or over 45 minutes. But we will try to use them for at least the last 30 minutes.

“After that we will have two games next week where they will also get minutes and so they can get closer to the conditions of their team-mates.

“They did not train for the first two weeks so much with the team but this week they have been with the team. They have a good quality and they can add to the quality we already have in the team.”

Bulut intends to field close to the same side which kicked off Cardiff’s spell in Austria with a 3-0 win over Hamburger SV.

But there will be at least one change, as Yakou Meite has a slight ankle problem and will be replaced by Isaak Davies.

Pacy forward Davies has returned to Cardiff after a loan spell at Belgian club Kortrijk.

Bulut has already said he hopes to recruit at least two more signings in the next few days, with a striker and midfield player Cardiff’s priorities.

Cardiff followed up the victory over Hamburg with a 1-1 draw against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

Bulut believes the game against Hertha will be a step up again as preparations gather pace for the Championship opener at home to Sunderland on 10 August.

“I am happy how the team is acting,” Bulut said.

“The first game we played mainly with, let’s say, the first squad, the second game was more the youngsters we want to see. Both games were positive for us.

“We would have liked to have won [against Mamelodi]. It was a tough game, good speed with a tough tempo. Hamburg was good the way we created chances.”