Cardiff's priorities as they plan for Championship

Cardiff's League One promotion is their first since going up to the Premier League in 2018 [Huw Evans Agency] Cardiff City wasted no time in securing their return to the Championship. The question now is how they stay there – or, eventually, climb higher again. The Bluebirds secured League One promotion in dramatic circumstances on Saturday, winning 3-1 at Reading and discovering deep into added time that they were going up because Stockport County had dropped points after conceding a last-gasp equaliser, scored by Exeter City's goalkeeper no less.

Now the champagne has dried and the hangovers are easing, Cardiff can start thinking about what comes next. First, they have three games left this season. This has been their first campaign in the third tier for more than two decades, and they do not want another for a long time.

So, planning will already have started for next season, and how they equip themselves for life back in the Championship. Wild scenes as promoted Cardiff savour Reading revelry Cardiff win at Reading to seal dramatic promotion Latest Cardiff City news, analysis and fan views New contracts for current players Before signing new players, one of Cardiff's priorities is to sort new contracts for players whose deals are expiring this summer. Defenders Perry Ng and Joel Bagan and midfielder Ryan Wintle have been three of the Bluebirds' best and most consistent performers, with Bagan and Wintle among the nominees for player of the season.

All three will be able to leave for free if they do not renew their contracts. Also under consideration are the players on loan at Cardiff. Goalkeeper Nathan Trott, another nominated for player of the season, has impressed since joining from Copenhagen for the season.