Ross McCormack was Cardiff's leading scorer last season
Jay Bothroyd hopes to continue to play alongside Ross McCormack but says the unsettled striker must decide soon whether he will stay at Cardiff City.
McCormack has attracted interest from the likes of Portsmouth and Hull City.
"I think Ross needs to... sort out his future sooner rather than later for the benefit of the other players and the squad," Bothroyd told BBC Sport Wales.
"We'd love him to stay, I'd love him to stay personally - I like playing up front with him."
McCormack, 22, joined the Bluebirds 12 months ago from Motherwell for £130,000 and ended the season as Cardiff's top scorer with 23 goals.
Despite that strike rate McCormack, who signed a new four-year contract at the start of this month, says he fears he will not be first choice up front this season, with Bothroyd and Michael Chopra both also in form.
McCormack believes that not playing regularly - or playing out of position - could damage his chances of being selected for the Scotland squad, prompting his request to Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale to consider offers for him from other clubs.
But Bothroyd says that no player can expect a starting spot in any competitive team.
"He's saying he's making football decisions. For me, every club you go to now - Championship upwards - no one is guaranteed a first [team] place," Bothroyd said.
"There's always competition, there's normally four strikers at a club and everyone has got to work hard to earn yourself a start.
"Ross is a terrific player but ultimately it's down to him.
"We need a strong squad but we know it's down to Ross what he wants to do, it's his future."
The Bluebirds complete their pre-season fixtures on Saturday with a glamour tie against Spanish giants Valencia at the Cardiff City Stadium.
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