Cardiff City manager Russell Slade has admitted that Aron Gunnarsson could request a move away from the club in January, but insists that the midfielder has a big part to play this season.

The Iceland international made his only start of the season against Middlesbrough in midweek having spent much of the campaign on the Bluebirds bench following injury, but Slade is still expecting the 26-year-old to have an impact before the next transfer window.

"Aron possibly will come to me in January but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before then. I still expect him to play a lot of games between now and January 1," the manager told reporters.

"If he is playing, I certainly don't expect him to come to me and ask for a move. It just depends."

After referring to Gunnarsson's injuries, Slade added: "He does enjoy being at Cardiff City. Since I've been here he's signed an extension to his contract, which is an indicator that he is reasonably happy.

"Of course he wants to play and he will play here and he will lead Iceland out next summer in France, there's no doubt about that."

Gunnarsson has scored 18 goals in 173 appearances for Cardiff.