Cardiff expect more exits than signings in January

Cardiff City are looking to add to their squad in the January transfer window – but there could be more departures than arrivals, says head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

Left-back is a position where the League One leaders are looking to strengthen, as Joel Bagan is the only specialist in that area.

Having already sent youngsters such as Luey Giles and Will Spiers out on loan, Cardiff are keen to give other young fringe players - including Dakarai Mafico and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa - first-team experience elsewhere.

Senior figures such as goalkeepers Ethan Horvath and Jak Alnwick are also likely to leave, with neither featuring for the Bluebirds yet this season.

Asked if there was a need for left-back cover, Barry Murphy said: "I think that's a very fair assessment.

"I think we're very comfortable using Perry [Ng] or Ronan [Kpakio] left-back alongside Joel. Joel's done very well for us this season.

"But Luey Giles has gone on loan, so that's an area of our squad that we are aware that we may need some help in."

With Cardiff three points clear at the top of League One, Barry-Murphy does not want to make major changes to his squad.

"The main focus has been, if you're speaking to Patrick [Deboys, Cardiff's head of recruitment] a lot, his title is head of recruitment, but really a lot of his focus from my point of view has to be on securing the players that we have and rate so highly," said Barry-Murphy.

"So the likes of Ronan, Dylan [Lawlor], Isaak [Davies], who've committed to long-term contracts with the club is a big part of what I'm asking him to focus on. And then the support from the board and that has been incredible.

"Loans are very important for the young players coming through. There's nothing concrete on Dakarai or Tanatswa yet. We think something is imminent.

"We just want to get them playing sooner rather than later to make sure that we don't miss any game-time for them."

Young forward Michael Reindorf has returned to Cardiff following his loan at Newport County but Barry-Murphy said: "The intention is for him to go back out on loan again and find an opportunity to play more than he did at Newport."

United States keeper Horvath is another who has returned following his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

As he is out of favour and among Cardiff's higher earners, however, he is highly unlikely to stay.

The same is true of Alnwick, who like Horvath featured regularly for the Bluebirds in the Championship but has only recently been back training with Cardiff having been in the North East of England for personal reasons.

"Ethan's got a lot of interest," said Barry-Murphy. "I don't know from how many different people and different places, so it's up to him and we'll support him and whatever he decides is the best option for him to find the football that he wants before the end of the season.

"It's a big end of the season for him with the World Cup on the horizon.

"Jak has got quite a lot of interest as well. We're looking to support him and make sure that he does what he feels is best for him and his family. I'm not certain on the timescale."