Cardiff to renew bid for Man U star

Cardiff City are set to renew their interest in Manchester United and England striker Alan Smith when the loan window opens in the new year. Smith has been out injured after a broken leg saw him sidelined for almost a year and as he returned to fitness, a host of Championship clubs enquired about a short term loan for the striker. Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson agreed a 1 month loan deal for Smith to join up with the Bluebirds but the striker opted to remain at Old Trafford and fight for his place.

Despite being knocked back, Cardiff will again ask about Smith in the new year after the loan signing of Swedish striker Henrik Larsson appears to have push Smith down in the Utd pecking order for strikers with Smith currently behind Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer and now Larsson as he bids to regain full match fitness.

Whether Smith`s opinion has changed, he is seen as a good option to add fresh impetus and alternative options to Cardiff`s attack in a move that could prove beneficial to both player and the two clubs. If Smith were now open to loan moves, there would be other clubs vying for the striker with Aston Villa and West Ham rumoured to be considering permanent moves for Smith in January.

Cardiff have struggled for goals of late and Smith could play with either Michael Chopra or Steven Thompson up front with Cardiff`s alternative options limited.

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