Cardiff City’s Mick McCarthy 'surprised’ Aiden Flint joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan

The experienced centre-half, 31, has played a key role in the Bluebirds’ revival under McCarthy since his appointment in January.

Flint, who was sent back to south Wales from Hillsborough at the start of the winter transfer window, has started every game under his new manager and scored the winner against Swansea City on Saturday.

McCarthy told reporters after the match: “I’m really pleased for Aden.

"I’ve always really rated him as a centre-back and I was surprised to hear he had gone out of our club on loan. He’s been fantastic for me.”

Former Bristol City and Middlesbrough defender Flint initially joined the Owls on a season-long loan in October and made a solid start to life at the club.

But he picked up an injury is only his fourth game, which ruled him out for several months and contributed to the decision to cut short his stay in South Yorkshire.

McCarthy continued: "I said that I liked him when he was at Bristol City, well actually I didn't like him because he kept scoring against us.

"I had a word with him the first week I was in and he has been brilliant. I am amazed at his resilience, how he has come back, having been three months off with a hamstring.”

Wednesday now have further defensive injuries in their ranks, with Sam Hutchinson, Chey Dunkley and last season’s Player of the Year Dom Iorfa all currently out.