FOOTBALL: RUSSELL Slade is running the rule over Cardiff City midfielder Theo Wharton and former QPR star Samba Diakite with both players joining the Sky Blues on trial this week.
The Observer understands both midfielders have been invited to train with the League One club as Slade continues to add strength and depth to his young squad in a bid to steer the club away from relegation to League Two.
Mali international Samba Diakite has been without a club since being released by QPR last summer.
The 27-year-old made just 23 league appearances during a four-and-a-half year spell at Loftus Road after joining from French side Nancy, for a fee believed to be in the region of around £3.5million.
The midfielder spent time on loan at Watford and Saudi Premier League side Ittihad and has scored four goals in 19 appearances for Mali.
Wharton came through the youth ranks at Cardiff City and was handed his debut in a 4-2 defeat away at West Brom back in January 2012, but since then his first team opportunities have been limited.
The 22-year-old, who has represented Wales at youth level but committed his international future to St Kitts & Nevis, has made just one other appearance for Cardiff, which came in a 2-1 defeat at Macclesfield in the FA Cup back in January 2013.
Wharton worked under Slade while he was manager at Cardiff and is available on a free transfer should he impress his former boss.
