Cardiff City are set to be boosted by the return of experienced defender Sol Bamba following his prolonged absence from the side with an injury suffered earlier this year.

Bamba suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in March when Cardiff were still in the top-flight, and this means he was unable to play a part towards the end of last term and in the first 14 matches of the Bluebirds' Championship campaign.

However, the Ivory Coast international made his long-awaited return as a substitute during Cardiff's 4-2 victory over Birmingham earlier this month, and he is now nearing the point where he can start playing regularly for the Bluebirds.

Former Cardiff boss Neil Warnock he was not able to benefit from Bamba's services before his departure this week, but the ex-Leeds defender is now set to help boost the Bluebirds' back line under the incoming new manager.

Here is one winner and one loser from Bamba's imminent return to the side...

Winner: The next Cardiff manager

Cardiff are yet to identify Warnock's successor since his departure on Monday, but the Daily Mail have reported that Neil Harris and Lee Bowyer are among the frontrunners for the Bluebirds' hot seat currently.

The new boss will certainly benefit from Bamba's return to full fitness, as they will be able to rely on his quality and leadership skills to help boost a shaky defensive line which has already conceded 23 goals this term.

The 34-year-old should be able to help improve Cardiff's defensive record, while his comeback also means the next Bluebirds manager will have more depth in defence to supplement the likes of Aden Flint, Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson.

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Loser: Aden Flint

Flint was signed over the summer following an underwhelming campaign at Middlesbrough last season, but he has failed to truly excel in South Wales since his arrival, and this could put his place in the side under threat.

The truth of the matter is that neither Flint nor his defensive partner Sean Morrison have been performing too well, but Flint is the player most likely to be cut from the side first given Morrison's established reputation at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Therefore, Bamba seems likely to replace Flint in the starting line-up when he eventually regains full fitness, while the presence of former Oxford United defender Curtis Nelson means there is a serious risk Flint starts dropping down the Cardiff pecking order.