Jones hoping for tax boost

Bluebirds boss keen to focus on football

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Jones hoping for tax boost

Jones: Taxing time

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Cardiff City chief Dave Jones says a resolution to the club's off-the-field problems would aid his side's hopes of securing a place in the Championship play-offs.

City chairman Peter Ridsdale is preparing for an appearance in the High Court on Wednesday as the club face the threat of a winding-up order from HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) over an unpaid tax bill.

The Bluebirds have already paid back £1m of their arrears last month but need to come up with the remaining £1.7m by 10th March to avoid administration and a possible 10-point penalty deduction.

The financial concerns have overshadowed efforts on the pitch made by Jones' side, who have climbed to sixth in the table following their 1-0 triumph over follow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Jones admitted the difficulties had made his job more taxing - but explained that the prospect of having the issue resolved would provide welcome news.

He told the club's official website: "It will be a big boost if the tax bill can be sorted out on Wednesday and then everybody can relax and concentrate on the football.

"I know the chairman and the board are working really hard on it. We can't really influence it apart from winning matches and influencing people who might want to come in and buy the club.

"There's a good camaraderie about the place and they know they had to pull something out of the bag on Saturday."

Jones team selection has been ravaged by a lengthy injury list through-out the season, but that has not stopped his side from exceeding expectations by hauling themselves into top six contention.

His charges face crucial fixtures against in-form Leicester and Coventry, as well as five other matches in a congested month that could stretch his squad to the limits.

The likes of Peter Whittingham, Mark Kennedy and Stephen McPhail are all out of Tuesday's trip to Ipswich, meanwhile Mark Hudson and Joe Ledley are both struggling with respective injury problems.

The fixture pile-up means City will play twice in seven days for the next four weeks, although Jones challenged his patched-up men to continue their push for a play-off berth.

"This month will be very challenging for the players here," the 53-year-old added.

"We may get one or two back from injury, but that still won't be enough.

"It's going to be a tall order for everybody. But we're up for the fight and the players are giving everything they've got.

"If they continue to do that, there'll be no complaints from me."