Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says the Bluebirds’ position in the Championship might mean they have to focus on the loan market in January with players reluctant to join a club battling relegation.

The Welsh club slipped to 23rd after a 3-2 defeat by Oxford United and are now three points adrift of safety.

Riza says he has had a recruitment meeting with the Cardiff board, but admits the club might struggle to attract the right calibre of signing on a permanent basis, with a focus on the loan market likelier.

“We’ve had a meeting and a shortlist is with the board and discussions are taking place. Hopefully we can move ahead with transfers,” Riza told BBC Radio Wales Sport. “It’s an important window.

“There are a whole range of scenarios that might occur with our position at the minute, some players maybe don’t want to come to a club who are in the position we’re in at the moment.

£Maybe we might only be able to get loans in, there are a whole range of obstacles in the way, but we are looking at back-up as well, players further down the list who might be able to come in and help us.”

The Bluebirds are now winless in nine games, but Riza says he remains optimistic and has only had discussions about transfer plans with the owners, when asked if he retains their support.

“A win can change everything. It’s proving hard to get it at the moment,” he added.

“We are in discussions all the time about what we need in January.

“We are not getting results and when that is happening there are always going to be questions asked.”