Bluebirds who could be
Anumber of Cardiff City stars face an uncertain 24 hours with manager Neil Warnock likely to streamline his squad before the transfer window slams shut.
The arrival of at least one more player is expected before Thursday’s 5pm transfer deadline and Cardiff will doubtless look to balance the books by offloading a couple of their own.
The Bluebirds’ interest in Birmingham City striker Isaac Vassell could well see at least one forward leave the Cardiff City Stadium, while the mooted pursuit of another midfielder could see Cardiff add to their already bloated squad.
It means Warnock, who has admitted there could be some casualties before the end of the window, faces some tough decisions over who should stay and who should leave.
Loic Damour
LOIC Damour’s exit appears the most likely over the coming weeks. Despite the Premier League and Championship’s early transfer deadline, the midfielder is set to seek pastures new, most likely in Europe.
Doubts continue over whether there is enough steel in the centre of the park at Cardiff, but with City reportedly chasing another midfielder Damour will almost certainly leave in search of more game-time.
The former France Under-20 international, who has not been given a squad number this season, could seek a return to his homeland, where the window remains open until September 2.
Lee Tomlin
CARDIFF fans were encouraged by Lee Tomlin’s physical transformation this summer, slimming down in an attempt to get in shape for the season, and many are hopeful he can now fulfil his potential on the field.
Though Tomlin is a naturally-gifted playmaker, it appears Bobby Reid is Warnock’s preferred choice to play in behind the striker and that could see the 30-year-old seek regular football elsewhere.
A loan deal looks to be the most likely option.
Gary Madine
THE seemingly imminent arrival of Vassell is likely to force one of Warnock’s existing striker options out the door. Gary Madine was handed a boost last weekend against Wigan when he was given the nod to lead the line after new signing Robert Glatzel deemed unavailable for selection. The feeling among fans, however, is that Madine has not produced what was expected of him, having not found the back of the net in any of his 20 appearances following his £6m move last summer.
But the striker, who showed promising signs against Wigan, is held in high regard by Warnock, which could see him stay in the Welsh capital for at least this transfer window.
Greg Cunningham
GREG Cunningham reportedly wants to quit Cardiff to seek regular first-team action, having played just eight times since his move from Preston last summer.
Joe Bennett is Warnock’s first choice at left-back, and rightly so, and Cunningham knows he will be playing second fiddle if he remains in the Welsh capital this season.
A number of Championship clubs are keen on him and he could leave if an offer is tabled, but they will have to move quickly if a deal is to get over the line before the window shuts.
Omar Bogle
FOLLOWING Cardiff’s relegation from the Premier League, Omar Bogle would have topped many fans’ lists of players likely to head for the exit door.
However, a succession of impressive performances in pre-season saw the 26-year-old shoot to the top of the pack, in terms of back-up strikers, and he seized his chance against Wigan.
A well-taken goal to level the game on Saturday saw his stock rise yet again and may well have gone a long way to cementing his position as Glatzel’s understudy.
Alex Smithies
AFTER the arrival of Joe Day from Newport this summer, Alex Smithies appeared destined for pastures new.
Smithies came to Cardiff ahead of last season with a strong reputation behind him following his stints at QPR and Huddersfield, but was nevertheless primed to be Neil Etheridge’s understudy.
Day has now moved above Smithies in the pecking order, but after it emerged Etheridge will be sidelined for two months owing to a hamstring injury, Warnock looks to have been press-ganged into keeping hold of Smithies, at least for the foreseeable future.
Danny Ward
SHOULD another striker sign in the