Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer is reportedly the leading candidate to take the vacant Cardiff City manager's job.

Neil Warnock stepped down as Bluebirds coach on Monday following their defeat to Bristol City at the weekend, a result that left the club 14th in the Championship table after 16 games.

According to The Sun, the Charlton boss has impressed some of Cardiff's top figures and they see him as a leading option to replace the veteran manager.

The former Newcastle United midfielder took over at Charlton in 2018 and has since won almost half of his games in charge, guiding the troubled Addicks to promotion from League One last season.

Despite the off-field ownership issues and lack of funds at his disposal, the 42-year-old has seen the South London club adapt well to life back in the Championship and they are currently one point and three places above Cardiff.

Also in contention to replace Warnock are Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth and former Millwall manager Neil Harris.