Midfielder Smertin leaves Fulham

Russian midfielder Alexei Smertin is to leave Fulham after the club cancelled his contract by mutual consent.

Earlier on Monday the 33-year-old Smertin rejected the opportunity to join Cardiff on a season-long loan.

The FA Cup finalists initiated a work permit hearing but Smertin told Cardiff he did not want to join them.

Former Chelsea player Smertin joined Fulham in January 2007 from Dynamo Moscow, but he made less than 20 starts and will now leave Craven Cottage.

The Bluebirds are without experienced injured midfielders Gavin Rae and Riccy Scimeca and had wanted the former Russian skipper to bolster their midfield.

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Is losing out on Smertin a big blow for Cardiff?

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale, meanwhile, has dismissed rumours that former England striker Robbie Fowler might return to Ninian Park.

Fowler left Cardiff in the summer after an injury-ravaged season, turning down a pay-as-you-play offer in favour of a possible contract with Blackburn Rovers.

But Fowler is unhappy with the week-by-week contract on the table at Ewood Park and remains a free agent.

Cardiff turned down fresh bids of £5m for midfielder Joe Ledley and £4m for defender Roger Johnson last week.

Ridsdale reiterated that the crown jewels in manager Dave Jones' squad were staying put for the time being, but said that there could be a player sold before Monday.

"There may well be some activity in the next 24 hours or so, but none of our big names are going anywhere," Ridsdale added.

"If there are any transfers out, and there might be the possibility of one, it wouldn't be somebody that Dave says he sees as his first-choice playing squad."

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