Weston set to leave Cardiff

Rhys Weston`s 5 and a half year stay at Cardiff City appears to be over. Weston has been left out of the squad who left to tour Canada and will spend the time searching for a new club.

Dave Jones preferred to use an out-of-position Neal Ardley ahead of Weston at right-back last season and had brought in Kevin McNaughton as a first choice full back with the probable arrival of Arsenal youngster Kerrea Gilbert to provide cover. Riccy Scimeca is also able to cover the right-back slot if necessary.

Weston was one of the first signings of the Sam Hammam era and is currently one of City`s longest serving players along with Neil Alexander and Chris Barker. He joined in November 2000 for a fee of £300k from Arsenal and was initially bought as a centre back. Weston was moved to right back to accommodate Danny Gabbidon`s progression into an accomplished centre-half and made the right-back berth his own. Weston lost his place on numerous occasions sometimes suffering for the collective failures of the team but kept working hard and regained his place despite unfair targeting by some sections of the Ninian Park crowd who found Weston to be an east target and made him a scapegoat whenever things went wrong.

Weston is pacy, good in the air and always willing but has been let down by occasional lapses in positional play and a weakness in his distribution and passing. He has been in and out of Welsh squads for the past few years and should become a decent signing for any lower Championship or upper League one side. Coventry City and Swansea City have been linked with the player, but neither have registered any firm interest.

Weston started 170 league games for Cardiff, scoring 2 goals.

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