Transfer talks ongoing as Riza looks to strengthen

Cardiff manager Omer Riza signed a deal running until the end of season last week having been interim boss since September

Omer Riza says transfer "conversations" have begun as Cardiff City consider their options going into the January window.

Cardiff go to Stoke City on Saturday looking for a response after an abject midweek defeat by Preston which stretched the Bluebirds' winless run to six matches.

With his side in the Championship relegation zone, Riza has suggested changes will be made next month.

"I think we need to possibly bring players into help the squad," the Cardiff manager said.

"We are talking all the time regarding transfers and players, potential transfers, maybe some players going out, maybe some players coming in.

"There is nothing solid yet, but the processes have begun in terms of conversations and they will go on until the window closes."

Riza has hinted that Cardiff's one current loan player, Wilfried Kanga, could return to parent-club Hertha Berlin next month having struggled to make an impact in the Welsh capital.

There are others who could be deemed surplus to requirements with Cardiff's squad looking in need of new recruits after what has been a miserable season so far.

Cardiff are the lowest scorers in the Championship, while only two second-tier sides have conceded more league goals in 2024-25.

Wednesday's display against Preston – who had not won in nine league games before coming to Wales – was particularly worrying, with Riza acknowledging that Cardiff are in a relegation scrap.

"We are as it stands because we are in the bottom three and everyone's fighting for points," Riza added.

"Until we get out of that we'll continue to be in that. We have got to win games, win points to not be in it.

"So right until the end of the season, unless we pick up the points we need to, that's going to stand, isn't it?"