Neil Warnock has vowed to do more “wheeling and dealing” at Cardiff City after signing Greg Halford from Rotherham and releasing £2m purchase Lex Immers.
Warnock insist the re-shaping of his squad is still in its early stages as he plots more recruits and departures in the January transfer window.
Halford, who can play in a number of positions, has moved to the Bluebirds for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £100,000.
Immers – who Cardiff shelled out £2m for as recently as last summer – is being allowed to leave for nothing after failing to impress Warnock this season.
Warnock said: “Lex Immers has left the club by mutual agreement. He has not been in my plans since I’ve been here, in fairness.
“He’s got a lot on his plate, his partner is having a baby, so this suits both parties. It frees up a wage, he can go and enjoy himself for a time back home. We wish him well.
“There’s been no trouble with him, he’s just not been able to find the form he had when he first came. I’m just trying to thin it down, get a more sustainable squad.”
Immers, 30, has failed to score this season in 13 appearances for the club after the former Feyenoord player managed to hit five goals in 14 matches at the back end of the last campaign.
The striker had 18 months left on his contract with the club.
Another of Cardiff’s highest earners, defender Bruno Manga, is expected to be moved on when he returns from duty with Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Warnock hopes that is sooner rather than later and added: “We have not heard anything more about Bruno.
“I wished him all the best before he left and said I hope you lose every game so we can have him back as quickly as possible.”
Halford is a utility player who impressed Warnock during the manager’s successful rescue mission that kept Rotherham in the Championship last season.
“I am glad to have got Greg on board, because he is a really good utility player. He has signed a permanent deal for this season and next.
“I am still looking for another striker if we can bring in the right one. We are also looking at two other positions, so there is a fair bit of wheeling and dealing to be done yet.”
Warnock confirmed he has also signed 20-year-old striker Ibrahim “The Shark” Meite from Harrow Borough after a two-week trial at the club.
The move was revealed by Dai Sport on Thursday .
Warnock added: “He’s an exciting prospect, I like the look of him really. It’s not a difficult situation, no fee or anything. I just had a hunch when I saw him play.”
Warnock plans to rest a number of players for Saturday’s FA Cup 3rd round tie at Fulham and added: “It would be a nice distraction to have a good FA Cup, but it’s not a priority.
“I don’t mind resting players and fielding a different team, so long as the fans are told exactly that beforehand.”
