Wayne Routledge made his league debut at Crystal Palace aged just 16

Dave Jones will ask chairman Peter Ridsdale if Cardiff City can afford to extend the stay of loan duo Michael Chopra and Wayne Routledge.

Aston Villa winger Routledge is on loan until 17 January while Chopra's deal from Sunderland ends on New Year's Eve.

"I'll ask the chairman but it is down to funds, we have to look after funds prudently," admits Cardiff boss Jones.

Striker Chopra has scored three times since re-joining Cardiff and Routledge has impressed in their play-off push.

The Bluebirds are still trying to reduce their estimated �30m debt and Ridsdale admits the club "must sell at least one player a season" to balance the books.

Cardiff sold �10m of talent in 2008 as Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Glenn Loovens left Ninian Park.

But it is feared Jones may have to sell �6m-rated Welsh international midfielder Joe Ledley if Cardiff want to buy Chopra and Routledge on a permanent basis.

Jones, though, may look to extend their loan deals until the end of the season as Cardiff push for promotion to the Premier League.

606: DEBATE It's fair to say that most fans would accept a Chopra and Routledge move for the sacrifice of Ledley danbluefan

The City boss admitted, though, that Routledge's future is in the hands of Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

"I've not spoken to Martin," said Jones,

"Villa will make a decision purely on their European campaign because they have to full up their tally for Europe.

"But if they don't need Wayne for Europe, we might get him that little bit longer."

The former England under-21 international was signed by Villa from Tottenham Hotspur for �1.25m in January.

Routledge has not started a Premier League game for Villa but his contract at the Midlanders expires at the end of the season.

Joe Ledley, Cardiff's stand-in skipper due to Stephen McPhail's suspension, hopes Routledge can remain with the FA Cup finalists.

"Hopefully we can sort something out and keep him at Cardiff," said Ledley.

"He is a great player to watch, he is one of the quickest players I've seen and he has been a great player for us."

Jones, though, warns the Championship club must take into account their financial situation.

"We have to look after funds prudently because of what has gone on in the past and what is going on now," said Jones.

"I know the fans don't like that and I don't sometimes but that is the parameters I have to work within."

Chopra is contracted to Premier League strugglers Sunderland until the summer of 2011 after his �5m arrival from Cardiff last year.

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