Cardiff line up Liam Lawrence from Portsmouth

Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence is a target for Championship side Cardiff City - where he spent three months on loan at the end of last season.

Lawrence, 30, is one of two senior players left at Fratton Park and Pompey need him off the wage bill to help bring them out of administration.

And the two clubs have resumed talks over a permanent move for Lawrence.

Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay admitted to being an admirer of Lawrence but would not confirm his interest.

"Liam did great for me last season," Mackay told BBC Radio Solent.

"He was a fantastic professional, he came in and did a fantastic job for me last season in the period he was at the club.

"He is a really good character, a good player and a great professional to have around.

"We've got targets that we want to bring into the club, but I can't say whether Liam is one of them."

Tal Ben Haim is the other senior player at Portsmouth - who need to clear their wage bill by 10 August or the club will be liquidated.