Cardiff City will want to really push on in this second half of the season and make in-roads in their bid to get back to the Premier League.

Russell Slade's men sit just outside the play-off positions in ninth and are only four points behind sixth placed Ipswich.

With the top half of the table so close together, Cardiff will really need to make signings that will allow them to challenge with their rivals.

The Bluebirds have had some excellent results this season, such as the 1-0 win over title challengers Middlesbrough but have the second most draws in the Championship this season alongside a number of other sides.

To turn those draws into wins, Cardiff will have to make a few quality signings and here are five players Cardiff City should consider signing in January.

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Josh Vela

The Bolton midfielder has performed really well for struggling Bolton this season and, Cardiff have already expressed great interest in the player, who can also play at full-back.

The 22-year-old would be contesting some very good full-backs already if Slade were to play him there, but there is room for Vela to break into the team in the centre of midfield, where he has performed well for Bolton.

With Slade looking to bring in some young players, Vela would be a great fit at Cardiff.

Jonson Clarke-Harris

The Rotherham striker has been very good this season, in a team that is struggling in its second successive season in the Championship.

He has come a long way in the past two seasons and despite being close to leaving the club, he is honing himself into a top quality target-man.

He is young and powerful and with the sale of Jones, the potential departure of Revell and Macheda, and with Eoin Doyle out on loan, Clarke-Harris could come in and take the club by storm.

At the tender age of 21, he has a lot of growing to do and with the right growth and guidance could become one of the best in the Championship.

Zach Clough

Clough has been another great performer alongside Vela at Bolton this season.

While Cardiff do not play in a formation which would suit the playmaker, Slade could change things up in the second half of the season to turn draws into wins.

Changing the formation to suit an attacking midfielder would likely produce more goals and with a player like Zach Clough, most strikers will be able to feed off of the youngster.

The 20-year-old is another player who has a lot of time on his hands to develop, and if he were to sign for Cardiff, he would prove to be an addition that could change a game with his ability.

Jordan Mutch

The Crystal Palace midfielder has struggled to make the cut in the Premier League this season.

He has only made appearances off the bench, and it looks like a move down to the Championship would suit the 24 year-old.

Mutch has a lot of experience despite his young age, but has not played regular first team football for a while, not since he was at Cardiff in 2014 in fact.

He would be welcome back at the club and if Slade gave him a run of games, then he could regain the form he showed in that 2013/14 season and could potentially become a consistent Championship midfielder.

 

Bradley Dack

The Gillingham midfielder has been prolific in League One this season.

With 11 goals in League One, he is propelling Gillingham towards promotion to the Championship.

His erratic and direct style of play along with his ability from set pieces makes him a handful for any defence.

The 22-year-old would be ambitious enough to make the move to the Championship, and if Slade could bring him in, he would add a different dimension to the Cardiff attack.

Cardiff fans, do you agree that these five would make good signings? Who do you want to sign in the transfer window? Let us know in the comments below!