Neil Warnock is reluctant to let Stuart O'Keefe leave the club this summer, according to a recent report by Wales Online.

Warnock is worried about his lack of squad options if he lets fringe players like Stuart O'Keefe leave.

Portsmouth have recently targeted the 26-year-old but he is likely to feature in an EFL Cup match against the League One side rather than for them.

Cardiff take on Portsmouth in the EFL Cup this week and Stuart O'Keefe is expected to play a part in that game.

Having lost a number of central midfielders this summer, Cardiff are likely to keep O'Keefe.

Theo Wharton and Tom Adeyemi were released on free transfers while Emyr Huws has re-joined Ipswich Town and Peter Whittingham headed to Blackburn Rovers.

O'Keefe spent the latter part of last season on loan at Milton Keynes Dons in League One and Pompey were eyeing up a move to bring him back to the third tier.

However, the former Crystal Palace man is now likely to stay.

Talking about squad depth, Neil Warnock said:

"It's alright letting them go, to let them play, but if we're short ourselves we've go to make sure we're right."

Ahead of the cup clash with Portsmouth in midweek, Warnock added:

"I'll probably play Stuart O'Keefe on Tuesday, I've already spoken to him about the game, so let's have a look at some of these other lads."

The Verdict

Stuart O'Keefe's move to Portsmouth would be mutually beneficial for the player and Pompey.

At League One level, the versatile and energetic midfielder is a class player.

However, the decision is down to Cardiff and they do need squad depth; selling or loaning out O'Keefe leaves them short unless they have a replacement lined up.

Cardiff fans - Would you like to keep O'Keefe? Or would you loan or sell him? Let us know below...