Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:29 am
In January sales
DAVE Jones will move over the next week to strengthen his Cardiff City squad.
The Bluebirds boss knows the players he wants and club chairman Peter Ridsdale is working to bring in one or two before next Saturday’s Championship visit of Blackpool.
Jones’ priority is central midfield with Stephen McPhail and Gavin Rae both injured and Riccy Scimeca no longer playing after a series of groin operations.
City are likely to have up to £3m available to spend on players – fees and wages – and Jones is in a rush to splash the cash raised by early season-ticket sales.
“The fans have already bought more than 10,000 season tickets for next season and that’s absolutely unbelievable,” said Jones.
“It’s another fantastic achievement for this club in the time that I’ve been here.
“It says everything about how brilliant our fans really are. It also shows that everybody here is together and that’s the most important thing.
“The chairman has promised that all the money that comes in will go to bringing in players. We’ve got a list of players that we feel we can afford and get.
“If we get £3m then we can do a lot of damage with that.
“We have been keeping tabs on a lot of people, but every game I’ve been to I’ve seen another 10 or 15 managers there as well.
“So what I’m looking at I will guarantee you everybody else is looking at. If we’ve got the money, we’ll make sure we use it wisely.
“The money we’ve had before we’ve used wisely, but this is the first time in my time here that we come to the January window and we’ve been able to have a push and strengthen the squad.”
Cardiff are in the market for mainly potential loan signings from Premier League clubs, which the Bluebirds feel will provide top-flight quality.
But there are others who could move on permanent deals, including those out of contract at the end of the season, who could make a difference.
Blackburn’s Steven Reid is on Jones’ list of between 15 and 20 midfielders, but his fitness could prevent a move south.
Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere is another player highly rated by Jones and would undoubtedly give Cardiff a lift.
But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would prefer the talented teenager stay in the Premier League and Burnley are keen.
Nigel Quashie (West Ham), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Bjørn Helge Riise (Fulham) and Darron Gibson (Manchester United) are other possible loan targets, but are currently in those clubs’ matchday squads.
Milton Keynes Dons had Quashie on loan and were keen to extend the spell, but that agreement has now run out.
Dons manager Paul Ince said: “West Ham don’t want Nigel cup-tied, which is understandable to be honest.
“But we’re still hopeful we can do something in the next week to keep him here until the end of the season.
“We’re still talking to agents, the player, and the club and hopefully we can finalise something.”