Cardiff City look set to reclaim a Premier League spot in the summer and that may influence the decision of midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.

The Icelandic hero rejected a new deal earlier in the season, hoping to secure a move to the top flight or abroad. He's struggled with injury recently, but time away with the national set up have seen him move to the brink of a return. With his current side fighting at the right end of the table, Neil Warnock believes he'd be made to leave.

"I think if we went up he'd stay, he'd be daft (not to)," Warnock told the BBC. "We have missed him. I've fobbed it off and said others have done well and I know he wasn't in the team when I came, but since my day one here, he's been my number one midfielder so I have missed him.  We'll cross that (his contract) when it comes to it, but one thing I do know is with nine games to go, you need to know who is in those trenches with you and I would like Gunnarsson alongside me because he's a top man and a top player."

The 28-year-old is back in contention to face Burton Albion tomorrow, and it is a game that could see Cardiff move ten points clear of third place.

"He came back and looked really sharp. It was a good decision (to send him)," said Warnock, who hasn't always seen eye to eye with his Icelandic counterpart. "Their manager appreciated me letting him go over as well, but it was better than him playing an Under-23 game."

The Verdict

Aron Gunnarsson is a huge talent and will be crucial to both his club and his country over the coming months. If Cardiff go up, I think he'll stay put. He deserves the Premier League stage and at 28, he's still got his best years ahead of him too. Let's just hope this summer he isn't putting England to the sword, again.

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