Anyadike urged to build on record-breaking debut

Robert Earnshaw says Noah Anyadike has achieved something “incredible” by becoming Cardiff City’s youngest ever first-team player – but has told the teenage defender the hard work starts now.

Academy player Anyadike, from Carmarthenshire, made his senior debut in Tuesday’s EFL Cup defeat to Norwich City at the age of 15 years and 98 days old.

That broke the club record set by Axel Donczew last season, and also made Anyadike the youngest player to feature in the EFL Cup as he broke a record previously held by Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.

“It’s amazing because it’s what you work for and congratulations to young Anyadike,” said former striker Earnshaw, who made his senior Bluebirds debut when aged 16.

“It’s so young and it’s so interesting because there is such a difference between 15 to 16 and then 16 to 17. It feels like five years when you are there yourself.

“It’s an experience you are very proud of and you remember. Now it’s where the work starts. It’s not about getting just one game on the books.”

Anyadike was pressed into action as a result of Cardiff’s defensive injury crisis, with Calum Chambers, Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish all sidelined.

Gabriel Osho also picked up an injury in the club’s opening Championship game of the new season against Wrexham, but Cardiff are hopeful he may be available for this Saturday’s league meeting with Sheffield United.

Former Wales international Earnshaw says Anyadike must now seek consistency as he looks to fulfil his promise.

“Always trying to keep improving is the key,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“The game doesn’t stop, there’s always another test and another player and different things you have to work on.

“You don’t want one game, you want 250, 500, 700 games. Consistency is what you need to get to that.”