Cardiff City have made a steady start to life back in the Championship, with the Bluebirds sitting in 11th place ahead of their match against Sheffield Wednesday on the weekend.

Neil Warnock's side were relegated from the Premier League last term and then lost two of their first three matches this season, but they then went on a seven-game unbeaten run spanning from mid-August to early October.

However, this encouraging run of form came to an end when Cardiff suffered a 4-2 defeat away at West Brom before the international break to indicate there is still plenty of room for improvement in Warnock's side.

The Cardiff boss has not been afraid to make alterations this campaign as he aims to find his side's best formula, with this meaning there should still be plenty of opportunity for Cardiff's fringe players to make an impact in the near future.

Here are three players who will need to take their chance to impress in Cardiff's upcoming run of matches...

Danny Ward

The striker has suffered from a series of injury problems of late which saw him miss the opening seven matches of the season, but he has been back among the action in recent weeks and has made his presence felt in this Cardiff side.

Ward has now scored three goals in his last three substitute appearances for the Bluebirds with two of these coming during the West Brom match, and he is surely now on the verge of being handed his first start this campaign.

Summer signing Robert Glatzel has scored two goals in his first nine appearances for the club as he continues to adapt to the Championship, but Ward has now proven his ability to find the net at a prolific rate.

Ward must ensure he picks up where he left off with Warnock surely set to hand him a starting place in the near future.

Will Vaulks

Vaulks was one of Rotherham's stand-out performers last season despite their eventual relegation from the Championship, so there was understandably much optimism when Cardiff secured Vaulks' signature.

However, Warnock has struggled to find a space for the 26-year-old in his side. The Cardiff midfield is looking particularly congested with the likes of Leandro Bacuna, Marlon Pack and Joe Ralls, so it has been difficult to fit in Vaulks.

The Welsh international has only made three league appearances since making the switch to join the Bluebirds, and there now cannot be any room for error when Warnock gives him another chance in the side.

The Cardiff boss has a healthy range of other midfield options to choose from, so he would have no problem with leaving Vaulks on the bench if the midfielder is still struggling to find his best form.

Lee Tomlin

 

 

 

 

Tomlin has featured in Warnock's plans so far this season following his return from a loan spell at Peterborough, but he has not quite forced his way into Cardiff's first-choice starting line-up.

The 30-year-old's skill and experience means he provides the Bluebirds with a different option from midfield, especially seeing as he is one of the few players in the side who can offer creativity from the middle of the park.

The four matches he has started this term have all seen Cardiff avoid defeat, but Warnock has only fielded Tomlin once away from home and the midfielder is also yet to play a full 90 minutes this campaign.

It is now the midfielder's task to convince the Cardiff boss that he can trust him to play a supporting role in Cardiff's attack during different types of matches, including difficult tests on the road.

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