Russell Slade expects Kenwyne Jones' Cardiff exit to be completed quickly after the striker missed the 1-0 win over Blackburn to hold talks with a club in Dubai.
Russell Slade expects Kenwyne Jones' Cardiff exit to be completed quickly after the striker missed the 1-0 win over Blackburn to hold talks with a club in Dubai.
In Jones' absence Joe Mason grabbed the only goal of the game, guiding home Craig Noone's blocked shot just before the hour mark, to break a three-match winless streak for the Bluebirds and move them to within four points of the SkyBet Championship play-off spots.
Blackburn, meanwhile, have now lost their last three and manager Paul Lambert will know a quick turnaround in form is needed to stop them falling into the clutches of a relegation battle.
Jones, who is out of contract in the summer, was left out of Cardiff's matchday squad to finalise discussions over a move - with the Welsh club keen to shift him from their wage bill.
Slade admits a deal should be completed without too many issues, and was delighted to see Mason take his chance to impress in the absence of the Trinidad and Tobago international.
"Kenwyne is in dialogue with a club abroad and that is likely to be concluded shortly," said the Cardiff manager.
"He was on a huge wage here so it is a financial decision and hopefully it may allow us some room to do some January business.
"I hope it will be a busy few weeks. It will be tight financially but I hope we will be able to bring somebody in.
"When Kenwyne is on the team sheet he is a real threat particularly in the air - and we didn't have that threat in this game.
"But I am delighted with Joe. He has been a bit frustrated and his chance has come a title bit quicker than he thought.
"It will give him a huge boost and will take the weight of his shoulders."
The only talking point of a drab first half was the booking of Hope Akpan after the Blackburn midfielder went to ground as Bruno Manga grabbed hold of his jersey.
Cardiff made the most of the decision going in their favour as Mason reacted quickest when Shane Duffy got in the way of Noone's shot, while Tony Watt missed a great chance to seal the win late on as Rovers fell to another defeat.
"I felt we should have had a stonewall penalty, I don't know how the referee missed it but I am not going to complain about it and get into trouble," said Lambert.
"But you are always concerned with a run of results like this, our form is not good, we have lost the last three.
"I have seen every player now and everyone has had a chance to show what they can do - and if you do not perform when you have those chances you will not play. That is football.
"You cannot afford to lose too many games in this division and we have to stop that. That is what we will try and get back on track."