Mick McCarthy will be hopeful of guiding Cardiff City towards a positive 2021/22 campaign as they prepare for another season in the Championship.

The Bluebirds' hopes of finishing in the play-offs are over, but that shouldn't overshadow what has been a largely positive tenure for McCarthy thus far.

The 62-year-old has won nine out of 20 games in charge of the Bluebirds, and they sit 13 points off the play-offs in eighth position.

The priority for McCarthy will now be the summer. The manager will be keen to strengthen his squad after having only a few days in January to revamp his group of players.

McCarthy will now be identifying potential transfer targets ahead of next season, and will also be deciding on some of his players' futures with contracts up at the end of the campaign.

Here, we take an early look at how Cardiff City's XI could look at the start of the 2021/22 campaign...

Smithies has been Cardiff's first-choice 'keeper under McCarthy and isn't really expected to change heading into next season.

The 31-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in the Championship this season and has conceded 36 goals in 31 games, however there is no real need to change the goalkeeper as he has been largely solid all season.

They do also have Dillon Phillips who has kept seven clean sheets in 14 league outings this season, who will provide competition for him next campaign.

But Smithies is expected to keep his shirt heading into next season.

Morrison is also likely to be a regular starter for Cardiff once again next season.

The centre-half has been in excellent form this season, establishing himself as a mainstay in the heart of the Bluebirds' defence.

The defender has made 38 appearances in the Championship, and even though he's a centre-half known for keeping goals out, he has also contributed to eight goals going forward.

Morrison has scored five goals and added three assists, which could be beneficial for a Bluebirds side going forward.

Flint's future in South Wales looked to be in doubt in the first half of the season as he spent time on loan at Hillsborough with Sheffield Wednesday.

But the defender picked up an injury and returned to Cardiff, and has since made 20 appearances for the Bluebirds under McCarthy.

His form alongside Morrison and Curtis Nelson has been tremendous and he played an integral part in their upturn in form when the new manager came in.

He's a typical McCarthy centre-half. He wins no end of aerial duels and is a no-nonsense central defender who is so key to have.

Nelson has been a key player in Cardiff's defence this season and he makes up the back three heading next season.

The former Oxford and Plymouth defender is good in the air, strong in the tackle and good on the ball in terms of playing out from the back.

He's still relatively young, too, so he has plenty of development still to make and he could become an even better one under McCarthy.

This should be the back line heading into next season.

Ng has seemingly found it quite easy since making the step up from League One and joining the Bluebirds from Crewe.

The attacking full-back arrived in January and has taken to Championship football like a duck to water, registering four assists in 17 appearances.

He's thrived in more of a right-sided midfield role, and his tendencies to get forward and create chances makes him a popular option at wing-back.

At 25, there is still plenty of room for development for Ng.

We could see our first summer signing arrive at Cardiff in the form of Josh Windass.

Football Insider report that Stoke, Cardiff and Middlesbrough are in the hunt for the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, whose future is uncertain as the Owls look like getting relegated.

Windass has scored 10 goals and chipped in with six assists for the struggling Owls this season, making 42 appearances in all competitions.

He may be too attacking to play in a two-man midfield, but having someone next to him who is known for their defensive attributes would help him thrive.

The man who could help Windass thrive is Pack.

Pack has made 37 appearances in the Championship this season, producing a series of impressive performances in the middle of the park.

The 30-year-old has scored one goal and registered two assists, but is more known for his battling tendencies and his physical attributes.

He has been key this season, and with Joe Ralls and Will Vaulks also at the club, there is plenty of depth in that area of the pitch.

Brown has enjoyed a really fruitful campaign on a personal level this season, spending time on loan with Livingston before returning to Cardiff under McCarthy.

He has been a key player under McCarthy for the last couple of months, starting in the left wing-back role and showing plenty of promise.

He can also play as a left-sided centre-half which shows his ability to play in a number of positions.

He's only 23 and with a full pre-season under his belt, could go from strength to strength under McCarthy.

Another player who has been linked with a move to South Wales is Carlos Mendes Gomes.

Football League World understand that Cardiff, Barnsley, Luton and Huddersfield are among those keeping an eye on the 22-year-old.

The Morecambe forward, who was originally on Atletico Madrid's books, has scored 15 goals in League Two this season, with the Shrimps looking to go up via the play-offs.

He is an attacker who can play through the middle, but thrives coming in from the inside and playing on the wing.

He could thrive in the final third in one of those attacking spots under McCarthy.

Football League World understand that Cardiff are leading the race to sign Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke.

Wyke has scored 30 goals in all competitions for the Black Cats this season and has spearheaded their charge for promotion from League One.

The 28-year-old could arrive at the Cardiff City Stadium, with interest likely to emerge in current Bluebirds top scorer Kieffer Moore.

If Moore was to leave, then Wyke would be an excellent replacement and an even better signing on a free transfer.

With Harry Wilson only on loan from Liverpool, the onus will be on Josh Murphy to create chances and contribute to attacks if the Welshman doesn't return to South Wales.

Murphy has scored two goals and registered five assists for the Bluebirds this season, having featured 30 times in the Championship.

He was out of favour under Neil Harris but has been given a lot of game time in the Championship under McCarthy.

With Junior Hoilett out of contract in the summer, there is scope for someone to take that left-winger role by the scruff of the neck.