Madine Gray admits homesickness

Gary Madine lost “fitness, confidence and goals” during his time at Cardiff, but a move to Sheffield United has cured his homesickness.

The 28-year-old from Gateshead was signed for a rumoured £6million last January after a productive spell at Bolton Wanderers and he helped the Bluebirds reach the Premier League as Neil Warnock’s side finished second behind runaway winners Wolves.

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“I didn’t really get going at Cardiff and felt a bit hard done by at times,” Madine told the Sheffield Star. “I’d play the difficult games away from home and when we had a so-called easier game at home, I wasn’t playing.

I wasn’t getting any chances so I lost fitness, confidence and goals, and it wasn’t a good place for me. “I was six hours away from home and I’m a bit of a home boy, I like being home which I am now, three or four times a week. As you can tell by the way I’m playing, I’ve got a smile on my face and I’m buzzing.”