Bristol City keeper Tom Heaton does not regret leaving Championship leaders Cardiff
Bristol City goalkeeper Tom Heaton insists he has no regrets at leaving Championship promotion favourites Cardiff City.
Forced to play second fiddle to Bluebirds stopper David Marshall for much of last season, Heaton elected to exit the Cardiff City Stadium last summer and throw in his lot with the Robins.
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No regrets: Tom Heaton is enjoying life at Bristol City.
In the meantime, Cardiff have established an eight-point lead at the top of the Championship and appear destined for the Premier League, while Bristol City are engaged in a bitter fight against relegation.
But Heaton says he would not change a thing.
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He told The Post: "Of course, I don't want to be down near the bottom of the league, but I'd rather play every week than sit on the bench for a top-of-the-league side.
"It was frustrating for me at Cardiff and I did not play enough games. That is why I decided to move to Bristol City and I've played a lot of games and I'm really enjoying it.
"I have no regrets at all about leaving. From a personal point of view, I needed to play games and I'm doing that here."
Although Heaton still keeps in touch with some of his former team-mates, he has not returned to the Cardiff City Stadium since turning down a new contract last June.
But he is looking forward to playing in front of a full-house crowd and anticipates a good reception from Bluebirds fans.
He said: "It will be the first time I have been back there since I left. It will be a good day and I'm looking forward to it. These are the games you want to play in.
"It will be a fantastic atmosphere and the place will be rocking on Saturday.
"I would like to think they (Cardiff fans) will give me a good reception, like they did at Ashton Gate earlier this season.
"I enjoyed my time there and left on good terms."
Nearly men for a number of seasons, Cardiff have improved under the management of Malky Mackay and former Manchester United trainee Heaton is not surprised to see the Bluebirds sitting on top of the Championship.
He reasoned: "Cardiff have been close for a number of seasons and I think Malky has come in and built on those foundations.
"They have a big squad now and a lot of quality players. Under his guidance, they have become a very good unit and they are always hard to play against.
I've spoken to a few of the lads at Cardiff and they've told me that, even when thy don't play that well, they still get results, which the sign of a good side. That is why they are so far ahead.
"But like any game in the Championship, it can go both ways and we will be looking to get three points.
"If Peterborough and Ipswich can get points at Cardiff, then why can't we? We have a lot to be confident about and, if we approach the game in the right manner, we will give ourselves a great opportunity."
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