Trading places... Will Adam be on his way in, while Manga departs?

NEIL Warnock proved his managerial mastery by taking Cardiff City away from the bottom of the table to a comfortable 12thplaced finish in the Championship.

But, for Warnock, the real work has only just begun. The big challenge he faces is to turn Cardiff into a credible promotion force next season.

Warnock feels his team are light in key areas if they are to achieve the planned top six finish and will spend the coming weeks trying to secure the services of the men who could make the Premier League difference.

But that will have to come at a price, with big-name departures from the Bluebirds to free up wages within the budget Warnock has at his disposal.

The Bluebirds boss will shortly be visiting Cardiff owner Vincent Tan in Malaysia to run through his shake-up proposals. He believes a modest spend of £5m can turn his Bluebirds from mid-table to top-six force.

As things stand, Warnock is keeping his cards close to his chest and is reluctant to disclose who those individual targets are.

But he wants up to five new players – at least three of them quality captures who will be able to step straight into the first XI every week and prove they are capable of leading a promotion charge.

What we have been told is that some of them will be big names we will recognise and that the work will be done early, so Warnock has his men in situ in time for a full pre-season of planning.

Like every year, the summer transfer window officially opens on July 1. But players, agents and clubs up and down the land will be discussing contract terms and fees way before then – and Warnock will be right in the thick of it.

Even though he won’t divulge the names of the individuals he has targeted, these are the positions Warnock plans to strengthen... and the men who could be on their way out so the Bluebirds can fund the new signings. GOALKEEPER Statement of the obvious this one, but a new number one is required to take over from Allan McGregor who returns to Hull. He could even be sold by the Tigers to Aston Villa, who are expected to mount a top-two challenge next season

The deal with Warnock’s new keeper is thought to have been already agreed behind the scenes.

His former Rotherham number one Lee Camp is one obvious target, with Warnock also having spoken to Walsall about Neil Etheridge.

Bluebirds fans would covet the return of David Marshall, or the capture of Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey from Crystal Palace.

But given the budget constraints Warnock is working within, Camp appears a more likely option. WINGER Warnock wants a really quick flier out wide to provide the cutting edge and flair that was often missing in the final third during the season just gone.

He feels his defence is strong enough and appears to be happy with most of his midfield options.

But a speedy wide-man is a key priority moving forward and it will be a player who is expected to be in the starting team most weeks.

Where that would leave Kadeem Harris, Junior Hoilett and Craig Noone is unclear, but perhaps the new man and Hoilett would be the first picks.

One player Cardiff have been previously linked with is Derby’s Abdoul Camara, who has played 10 times at international level for Guinea.

He would probably only cost around £1m, keeping Warnock well within budget, and has double value as he can also play further forward.

Is Camara the man being targeted for this crucial role? STRIKER This is the third pivotal position where Warnock definitely plans to strengthen, although Kenneth Zohore, of course, will be first pick next season.

Warnock is targeting a proven Championship striker whose name we will recognise and who could plunder goals next to Zohore.

The manager feels he needs more strength in depth in this area and, given the nature of the beast, this is where the bulk of Warnock’s summer spending could go.

Idriss Saadi has smashed 14 goals for Kortrijk in Belgium this season, but he doesn’t fit the bill of the recognised proven scorer Warnock is going after.

This capture could prove the key to whether Cardiff go up or not. MIDFIELDER Warnock obviously likes Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls, while Greg Halford offers solidity and Peter Whittingham flair.

But he evidently feels something is missing from his midfield and is seeking a new figure to at least offer options.

Stoke’s Charlie Adam has been mooted as a possible target and could certainly offer the kind of bossiness, control, tenacity and experience the Bluebirds need. He is definitely a Warnock-type of player, but could Cardiff really afford the wages of a man who has spent the last six years in the Premier League?

Warnock wants a new midfielder, though. Given his plans for a new wide-man to play with Hoilett to offer creativity further forward, it is more likely the midfield target will be a tenacious individual, as opposed to a flair one.