Bluebirds strengthen to in quest for the Premier?
birds. He is still some way off full fitness, too.
It means, should Ward leave, Robert Glatzel and Callum Paterson would be the only recognised striker options and Cardiff need far more versatility than that.
They have been linked with Kieffer Moore once again this week and they could do far worse than recruiting the Wales international, who has proved this season what a handful he can be.
Moore would represent a physical threat and a goalscoring one, which would ideally mix the best of Paterson and Glatzel.
If it is not Moore, then someone of a similar mould would suffice, because, while City’s style of play has evolved, they still need that abrasive front man to win those first balls and cause havoc thereafter.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
THIS is a luxury one, really, and is probably reliant on someone leaving.
But seeing the job Harrison Reed has done for Fulham since joining them on loan from Southampton highlighted the type of player Cardiff are missing from their squad.
Reed is almost a combination of Joe Ralls and Marlon Pack. He can pass the ball, ticks play along nicely, but also leads and organises in the middle of the park.
Bluebirds need a deep-lying playmaker who can also muck in and do the dirty work, a role which Will Vaulks has been tasked with at times, but the Wales international is more effective at the other end of the pitch – so it seems a shame to deploy him in such a position.
Bacuna is just not quite disciplined enough to fill that berth either, despite his energy and driving runs from deep being a hallmark of Cardiff’s season.
But it is important that this addition is a quality one, and that might mean a player is shown the exit door, because Cardiff need to seize control of matches far more regularly next season.
SO, WHO MIGHT LEAVE?
HARRIS made no secret of the fact there could be a few exits this summer, with some players likely to go in search of first-team football next season.
The goalkeeper situation is a curious one. In truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Neil Etheridge and Joe Day left the club in this window.
They are senior goalkeepers who desperately want minutes on the pitch and it is unlikely either of them are happy with their current situation, especially Etheridge, who won Player of the Season while in the Premier League.
But neither of them are likely to oust the brilliant Alex Smithies at the moment, so there is a big decision or two to be made there.
We have already seen the announcement that Ciaron Brown is heading out on loan, for the third time to Livingston, and perhaps that is an avenue which could benefit fellow Northern Ireland international Whyte.
The winger needs a string of games under his belt to develop his attributes and make him Championship-ready, but clearly won’t be getting that at Cardiff.
Elsewhere, it would also be no surprise if Aden Flint were to leave Cardiff City Stadium.
Another Warnock kingpin, the towering centre-back cost upwards of £4million last summer and that feels like a bit of an expensive luxury to have sitting out of the side.
He hasn’t played a single minute of league football since the 6-1 drubbing away at QPR on New Year’s Day, which shows just how far he has dropped off the radar. Sol Bamba has been the preferred option from the bench.
With money tight, if Cardiff can recoup half of what they paid for him, that would be seen as a bonus.
Ward is an obvious one. His contract is up and there is no news over whether a fresh deal is forthcoming.
Many supporters would love to see him stay and there is every chance a new deal will be signed, but if not, there are plenty of Championship clubs who would snap up a player of Ward’s calibre on a free this summer.
Lastly, of course, there is Murphy. A player who clearly has so many gifts with the ball at his feet, but has just been unable to knit performances together consistently enough in a Cardiff City shirt.
An £11m price tag has done him no favours, either, as fans will rightly be demanding of a player who cost such a princely sum. But he is quite clearly a player who could attract a big offer from the right club.
We heard Celtic were interested in signing him back in January and if such a club table upwards of £7m it would be tough for Cardiff to turn down in this climate, you feel.