Cardiff target another Irish striker

Cardiff City have put in a bid for another Republic of Ireland striker following the recent capture of prolific scorer Jason Byrne from eircom League Shelbourne.

Stephen Elliot of Championship rivals Sunderland is one man targetted by Dave Jones as a potential player to add competition and depth to his misfireing forward line.

Elliot, 23, has played regularly for the Black Cats this season, scoring 5 goals but has been used mostly in a right winger's role and the recent acquisition of Carlos Edwards from Luton, and highly rated Anthony Stokes to play up front - Elliot may find his chances limited. Manager Roy Keane is known to want an overhaul of his current squad and would be prepared to listen to offers for the hitman.

Birmingham City have also shown an interest in the player but with Bentner, Jerome, DJ Campbell, McSheffrey and new signing Rowan Vine all on the books, another striker surely isnt the priority for Steve Bruce. McSheffrey, Vine and Jerome all costing upwards of £3million to the Midlands club.

Cardiff also have a selection of strikers but Luigi Glombard and Andrea Feretti are running out of time to make an impression while Kevin Campbell's matchday participation is surely nearing an end.

Cardiff have missed out on Vine, Chris Killen, Leon Constantine, Jon Stead and others but are determined not to pay over the odds for any player. Initial figures regarding any possible sale of Elliot are above £1million which could stretch the Bluebirds' finances too far.

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