Ainsworth has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons

Cardiff City have signed two attacking midfielders as the race for Division Two automatic promotion hots up.

Wimbledon wide man Gareth Ainsworth has signed for a "small fee" and Coventry's Lee Fowler has joined until the end of the season.

Ainsworth was taken to Wimbledon for �2m by current Cardiff owner Sam Hammam back in 1998.

He completed the move to Ninian Park on Monday after passing a medical and is set to make his debut at home to Blackpool on Tuesday.

Preview: Cardiff v Blackpool

Fowler, a Wales under-21 international, has impressed the Cardiff management after spending a week on trial.

He scored against the Bluebirds in Coventry's FA Cup win earlier this season.

'Wild thing'

Ainsworth has played for Preston in three separate spells, Cambridge United, Lincoln City, Port Vale and Wimbledon, but he has been plagued by injuries this season.

He began his professional career in Blackburn, where formed a fruitful understanding with Cardiff striker Peter Thorne in the youth team.

"Peter has found goals hard to come by this season, but he's been heavily involved with in most of Robert Earnshaw's 30-odd goals," said Ainsworth, who earned the nickname of Wild Thing while at Wimbledon.

"I rated him at Blackburn; he never broke into the first team there, but if we can re-enact the partnership we had then that would be great.

"He scored 20-odd goals one season for the youth team and I'd love to see him do that again."

If we win these two, I fancy we'll get the automatic spot Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence

Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence said the new signings were a great boost as the season enters the home straight.

He said: "Gareth will give us balance and provide good service for the strikers.

"Lee has been out of favour and not part of their plans. He's Welsh, only 20 years old, and he can play. He's certainly one for the future."

Cardiff have managed only four wins in their last 12 matches, but still find themselves just a point behind second placed Crewe.

Lawrence admitted are fortunate to still be in contention for the two automatic promotion places.

He believes this week's two home games, against Blackpool on Tuesday and Mansfield on Friday, gives them a great opportunity to build some momentum

"I'll put my hand on my heart - if we win these two, I fancy we'll get the automatic spot," he told BBC Sport.

"Now if we don't win these two, we still might get it. We may well get, we've got a good chance of getting it, but it's going to be right to the wire."