It has been a quiet couple of seasons for Cardiff City since their relegation from the Premier League after a single season competing in the top flight but there is now a feeling that after steadying what was a sinking ship the club can push on during the 2016/17 season to battle for a promotion spot from the Championship.

Head coach Paul Trollope replaced the outgoing Russell Slade back in May of this year with the club stating that a fresh approach was needed within the club to give Cardiff City the best chance possible of launching an attack on the top six this season.

Trollope has already taken steps to release a number of long-serving players including centre back Ben Turner, goalkeeper Joe Lewis, central midfielder Filip Kiss, and striker Etien Velikonja.

The Welshman no doubt has his targets in the summer transfer market but which players will he look to use in his squad next season?

In this article, Football League World writer Steve Day takes a look at THREE Cardiff City players to watch out for in the upcoming 2016/17 season...

Declan John

It was a dramatic start to life as a professional player at Cardiff City for the Merthyr Tydfil-born John. His impressive displays in the youth set-up saw him propelled to the first team under former manager Malky Mackay who played John as a starter at left back in the Premier League. John went on to make 20 appearances for the Bluebirds in the top flight that season and it led to him earning his first two caps for Wales national team.

Unfortunately, after Mackay left, things went downhill for John. Mackay's successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared to have more faith in the more experienced Fabio and when Solskjaer was replaced by Slade it did not get any better for John. Slade moved to bring in ex-Millwall left back Scott Malone who became the first team starter at the Cardiff City Stadium.

John was subsequently shunned by Slade and sent out on loan to Barnsley and then Chesterfield where he won plaudits at both clubs. Now Slade has departed, there is talk that Trollope will show more faith in the youth at the club. John is one of those players that could benefit from Trollope's new approach. He has already proved himself as a capable player at Premier League and international level and at just 20 years of age he is a full back who will only get better with the more game time he receives.

Joe Ralls

Some might find it hard to believe that Ralls is still only 22-years-old. It seems forever since he broke into the Cardiff City first team making his debut back on 10th August, 2011. Ralls faced the unenviable task of coming through the Cardiff City youth system on the heels of the golden generation of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley, Adam Matthews, and Rob Earnshaw.

Despite appearing to struggle with the physical demands of the Championship during his first campaign with the Bluebirds, Ralls was eventually sent out on loan at Yeovil and it was there that he revelled in regular first team football. He played 37 times for the Glovers and scored 3 goals in a positive spell at the club.

Upon his return to Cardiff, Ralls forced his way into the first team and showed he was able to play as both a dynamic presence in central midfield and as a creative player out wide on the left. His solitary cap at England Under 19s level shows he is highly thought of across the football community and having played 43 matches in the Championship last season he will come into this season older, wiser, and fitter.

Lex Immers

The former Feyenoord attacking midfielder was a signing that got tongues wagging at the Cardiff City Stadium. It was a transfer by Slade that suggested the tide was turning and the club was now becoming more ambitious after a couple of seasons of cost-cutting. Immers only joined on loan last season but after playing for the De Kuip club over 100 times there was a feeling that the Bluebirds had signed a very capable player.

Immers did not disappoint. In his attacking midfield role behind the striker he managed to score 5 goals in his 15 league starts. His performances won praise across the fan base and calls to sign the Dutchman on a permanent transfer were loud and clear. The calls were answered in May and the transfer will be completed on 1st July when the summer transfer window opens up.

The former ADO Den Haag player is 30 years old and will bring a wealth of experience to the Welsh capital. The fans have already been given a taste of what he can do and with two solid central midfielders behind him and a striker ahead of him he could revel in the central attacking midfield role.

What do you think Cardiff City fans? Do you agree with these three players? Will Aron Gunnarsson, Bruno Ecuele Manga, or Anthony Pilkington be better options? Let us know in the comments section below.