Ex-Blue grabs a hat-trick for Bluebirds!

Francis Laurent: If it's not possible for me to join Cardiff, then hopefully another team will take notice.

You've got to give it to French wideboy Francis Laurent, he doesn't give up!

Coventry, Sheffield United, and now a reserve game behind closed doors with Cardiff, but give the boy his due, he grabbed a hat-trick!

Laurent made his mark on a 5-0 win against a young Llanelli team at the Bluebird's Vale of Glamorgan training ground.

Francis told www.walesonline.co.uk: "I enjoyed playing and I would love to stay with Cardiff City longer. It felt good to score a hat-trick in a trial match and the manager (Dave Jones) said I am a good player. My reason for leaving Southend was that I am keen to play at a higher level and Cardiff City are a big, ambitious club."

And not getting paid!

After his previous setbacks, the Sky Blues seemed keen but decide their budget couldn't take the risk on untried players at Championship level, whatever the promise, while with the Blades it didn't seem to get past training and a reserve game, Francis is at least being realistic.

He continued: "Of course I would jump at the chance of joining them. But they have such a fantastic squad and I will have to wait and see how things turn out. I haven't been offered anything, but I hope the manager is still thinking things over. I felt I took my chance well with a hat-trick. If it is not possible for me to join Cardiff City, then hopefully another team will take notice."

As ever, good luck this time around mate.

With Sheffield United:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edy4/
former_blues_frenchman_francis_may_become_a_blade_552178/index.shtml

With Coventry City:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edy4/
sky_blues_say_non_to_former_shrimpers_frenchman_551320/index.shtml

The Laurent Files