Dundalk midfielder Towell features for Cardiff City in victory over Chelsea and receives McPhail backing

Richie Towell (right) closes in on Chelsea goalscorer Izzy Brown in their clash at Cobham yesterday

Richie Towell featured for Cardiff City’s U-21 side in a behind closed doors friendly against Chelsea in Cobham yesterday.

The Dundalk midfielder is on trial with the Welsh side and helped them to a 2-1 victory over the Premier League table toppers.

Isaiah Brown had put Chelsea in front before Cardiff hit back with two goals in the closing eight minutes from Etien Velikonja and Tommy O’Sullivan.

Towell has vowed to return to Oriel Park next season if he fails to secure a contract across the water although Cardiff boss Russell Slade had claimed that a number of other Championship and Premier League clubs are also interested in him.

Meanwhile, former Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail – who played against Towell for Shamrock Rovers on a number of occasions last season – has backed the 23-year-old to be a hit in Wales.

“I hope he does really well. He has shown, particularly over the last six months, the qualities he has,” McPhail told Wales Online.

“I’ll be watching out for how he does with City. He certainly has the ability to impress and make an impact at Championship level.”

Dundalk midfielder Towell training with Cardiff City

Richie Towell with his Player of the Month award, which he picked up in July

Dundalk midfielder Richie Towell could be set for a move to Cardiff City just days after helping the Lilywhites to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title.

According to reports in Wales, the 23-year-old is training with the Bluebirds with a view to signing for Russell Slade’s side.

It is believed the midfielder, who joined Dundalk after a spell in Scotland in December 2012, will play in a friendly match against Chelsea this Thursday.

“Richie is an attacking midfielder, a very athletic and fit lad. We’ve had him training and he’s found it pretty intense, to be honest,” said Slade.

“He’s got an eye for goal. I think he was in double figures from midfield for Dundalk as they won the title, so we are really looking forward to working with him.

“Premier League sides and other Championship sides have been monitoring him, but we’ve decided to dive in and he will play for us in a game with Chelsea.”

Towell’s contract with Dundalk is believed to be up at the end of this month and he will become a free agent, so the Bluebirds would be able to sign him should they want, despite the transfer window in England not currently being open.