Cardiff City manager Steve Morison has admitted he doesn't think he will be able to recruit any of his current loanees again next season, making this candid admission to Wales Online ahead of his side's tie against Derby County.

All five of his current loanees have made a real impact at the Cardiff City Stadium since their respective arrivals in January, with first addition Cody Drameh proving to be a real threat down the right-hand side and that has allowed Perry Ng to fill in at centre-back, a position the latter has taken to excellently.

Although he faces stiff competition from Joel Bagan for the wing-back spot on the other side, Alfie Doughty has also been a real asset, adequately replacing Ryan Giles who was recalled by parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers and sent back out to high-flyers Blackburn Rovers in the winter.

Tommy Doyle has also been a shrewd addition, with striking duo and late arrivals Jordan Hugill and Uche Ikpeazu both looking set to provide the goalscoring threat needed to steer the Bluebirds further away from the relegation zone.

Both have already been able to get themselves on the scoresheet for Morison's men with the Welsh outfit enjoying great success in the loan market - and this productive January business may play an integral part in keeping them afloat in the Championship at the end of this term with safety already on the verge of being clinched.

With this recent rise, many Cardiff supporters would want to see some of their current temporary players return next season so they can minimise their chances of a repeat of what happened earlier in 2021/22 - but Morison had bad news for them in yesterday's pre-match press conference.

He said: "I have no doubt in my mind, if the season stopped tomorrow, they’ll (the loanees) be going back better players.

"Would we be able to get any of those players back next year?

"Probably not, but we might be able to get the next one in line, because they know what we’re doing."

The Verdict:

This is a real shame for the Bluebirds, because they would have been hoping to get at least one or two players back considering their status at their parent sides.

For example, Ikpeazu doesn't look like he's going to get back in the Boro side anytime soon unless he proves to be particularly impressive in the Welsh capital because two loanees were brought in by Chris Wilder at his expense.

He could be a good permanent option for Wilder next season, but it doesn't seem as though he fancies him and that could potentially persuade the Teesside outfit to cash in on him for a cut-price fee.

Similarly, it doesn't look like Hugill will be a major part of Dean Smith's plans at Carrow Road for the long term, especially with the Canaries reported to be interested in Aston Villa's Keinan Davis.

Supporters of Morison's men won't be surprised in terms of Drameh though - because he could end up being a real asset for Leeds United in the future if he can continue to impress in the second tier and it would be no surprise to see him in the Whites' first team next term.

That motivation to do well will only benefit the Bluebirds as they look to secure safety sooner rather than later.