Get the latest Cardiff City news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Cardiff City are poised to make a last minute transfer swoop to bring Wales star Joe Ledley home.

WalesOnline understands Ledley is one of two midfielders being considered by boss Neil Warnock, as he seeks to bolster his table-topping squad ahead of the 11pm closure of the transfer window.

The other player is also being targeted, although his name is being kept under close wraps by the Bluebirds.

Warnock is happy with his side who have roared to the top of the Championship, but feels an experienced, bossy midfielder could bring an extra dimension and provide competition for Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls.

Ledley is one of the names under discussion, Warnock believing his tough-tackling, dynamic style of play would be a perfect fit for the Premier League chasing Bluebirds.

Ledley is out of contract, having been released by Crystal Palace, and goes into Wales' World Cup crunch against Austria on Saturday night without any football behind him this season.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Wales boss Chris Coleman is giving his midfield man licence to leave training and talk to clubs to sort out his future, one of them being his home-town Bluebirds.

However, because Ledley is out of contract Cardiff feel there is no immediate hurry and they could sign him after the window has closed anyway.

Ledley's return would prove hugely popular with Bluebirds fans. He established his name with the club after making his debut as a teenager in 2004 and playing 229 matches over a six-year period.

Ledley then moved to Celtic in 2010, before joining Palace. He was released in June and has been without a club since.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

He has already turned down offers from two other Championship clubs and has options to play in China, where Ledley could earn a fortune in perhaps the last significant contract of his career.

But sources close to Ledley say he is keen on a return home, even though it would be on a lower salary, and is ready to step down from the Premier League into the Championship.

While Cardiff seek to bring in their new midfielder, there are a number of players likely to be shifted on.

Craig Noone is being linked with Bolton, Declan John is joining Glasgow Rangers and Stuart O'Keefe is also set to leasve.

Young winger Matthew Kennedy may be loaned out to give him regular football, while Cardiff are also understood to be ready to let Anthony Pilkington go at the right price.