(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has said he hopes the club will sign up to four players in the January transfer window, but expects to Marouane Chamakh and Kieran Richardson to leave.
After replacing Paul Trollope in early October, Cardiff's results under Warnock picked up dramatically, but have tailed off again since and the Bluebirds boss is well aware he needs to freshen up his squad as they face a relegation battle.
With only two wins in their last eight games, the Welsh side are lying in 20th place, just three points above the relegation zone.
Warnock has a goalkeeper and striker at the top of his shopping list, and told BBC Wales: “I've agreed to make one signing already, a young lad who I've been looking at over the last few months.
“I'm hoping from 1 January we'll be signing him, but that's not official yet.”
Despite Warnock wanting reinforcements, the experienced boss knows he will need to get some big-earners off the wage bill in order to welcome new recruits.
Two of those Warnock expects to leave are Chamakh and Richardson, who joined just days after his appointment but have only made eight appearances between them.
“It is important I get the right balance. I am not 100% but I think both lads understand. They are two I could get off the wage bill, so chances are, I will be releasing them,” Warnock said.
“I feel a bit sorry for Chamakh, but at the time when I came in, I felt we needed an influx of players. I wasn't aware of Emyr Huws or Declan John, as they were away with the Welsh squads.
“I didn't think we had cover for Rickie Lambert, but then I was impressed with Kenneth Zohore in training so brought him into the team.
“[Richardson and Chamakh] have been good professionals, but we need to manipulate this squad and those two are easy as their contracts are up. They will both find clubs.”
