Former Irish u21 defender David Greene moved from second-division Colchester to third-division Cardiff during the close season and while many people saw the move as a drop in grade Greene does not see it that way.

The defender believes that he should have made the move a long time ago and would have done early last season had injury not scuppered any chance he had.

He was being lined up for a move to Ninian Park in February but it fell through and when the club got relegated he was afraid they would not be able to hold onto their squad.

But since then it has been all change at the club and now they are one of the money teams of the lower leagues and are well positioned for success because of the structures put in place by the Hammam/Gould team running affairs.

He said: "This is a much bigger club than Colchester potentially, and much more professionally run - I love it here.

"The sleeping giant tag is obviously right as we got 11,000 for our first home game after relegation.

"The team could be strengthened further. I think we can easily finish in the top three if we steer clear of too many injuries."

Greene, 26, has also not given up hope of wearing the green of Ireland again. Paul McGrath tipped Greene as the man most likely to succeed while he was partnering Gary Breen in the u21 side.

Breen has gone on to represent the country at senior level while Greene has progressed down the leagues. With Cardiff all that might change.