Harry Arter, despite being absent from Cardiff City's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, has become a major talking point.

And it's not just because of the groin injury that ensured Arter missed the Magpies' defeat , but rumours the Republic of Ireland international could make a shock departure from Cardiff this month.

Irish media claim parent club Bournemouth are considering recalling Arter, from his season-long loan to the Bluebirds, with it understood that the agreement to take the 29-year-old from the south coast to south Wales included the option to recall in January.

This is what the rules say

Law 53.2.2 in the Football League rules states the following:

"Any recall clause requiring the early termination of a Standard Loan can only be included in a full Season Standard Loan and this can only be activated during the second (January) Transfer Window.

"Any other early termination of a Standard Loan must be by way of a mutual agreement in writing (including by way of a recall clause within the Standard Loan Agreement) between both Clubs and the Player but can only be completed after the expiry of 28 days and only during a Transfer Window."

In short, if all parties agree, then he can technically be recalled. Cardiff are certain to not want this to happen, of course, so could block it, but it's not totally unrealistic to suggest their hand may be forced if Arter wants a permanent move.

As for an actual recall clause, which Cardiff could do nothing about, we understand there isn't one in this instance and Cardiff fully expect Arter to be at the club until the end of the season.

The other clubs

Aston Villa and Watford are reportedly interested, with the Hornets - who were keen on the combative midfield star in the summer - surely the more likely destination for a player who is undoubtedly Premier League quality.

Bournemouth may choose to cash in on Arter rather than allow his Cardiff loan to continue. He is contracted to them until the summer of 2021 and would fetch upwards of £10million.

The Cherries have done this before, recalling Lewis Grabban from his loan to Sunderland 12 months ago because they wanted to sell the striker.

In the end, Grabban went on loan again, though it was a more lucrative deal (in Bournemouth's eyes) to Villa, before Nottingham Forest paid the Vitality Stadium club around £6million for the 31-year-old in the summer.

What Arter wants

The positive for Bluebirds fans is Arter has shown no signs of being unsettled at Cardiff, in fact quite the opposite.

That's despite living in London with his partner Rachel and commuting to Cardiff on the train from Paddington, staying over in a flat in the Welsh capital from time to time.

This is what he said back in November : "I've said to my family already the dream season would be Cardiff to stay up, the manager to stay on and then hopefully I can sign because I've loved every minute of being here.

"I've loved every training session and every game. Every home game has had a meaning and the fans have been brilliant.

"That's down to the lads - they can see they're giving their all. Fingers crossed, it stays this good for me and we can sit after the 38th game with us having stayed up and looking to stay here permanently."

(Image: 2018 Getty Images)

What it means for Cardiff

With the Bluebirds already in the hunt for a midfielder player this month and failing to land Adrien Tameze from OGC Nice, the albeit unlikely event of Arter leaving would be a huge problem.

Joe Ralls has looked short of confidence this season, again disappointing in the defeat to Newcastle, while Aron Gunnarsson's fitness remains a concern for Warnock.

One small positive of Arter leaving is it would open the space for Warnock to sign another Premier League player loan, possibly Victor Moses or another central midfielder.

(Image: 2018 Getty Images)

The worst case scenario would be for Arter to leave and Cardiff not sign a midfielder, leaving Ralls, Gunnarsson and Victor Camarasa as the only recognised midfielders. Loic Damour is expected to leave the Bluebirds this month.

Cardiff would also lose a player who has looked as comfortable in the Premier League as anyone else in their squad. They'd miss Arter's intensity, pressing, tackling and his underrated knack of picking a pass.

In other words, the Bluebirds must remind Arter how he is valued and ensure he remains until the end of the season (as a minimum) to help out in the relegation scrap. Thankfully, that seems the likely outcome at this stage.