Neil Warnock has sent a New Year message to Bruno Manga as he prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations, saying: “You are welcome to stay with Cardiff City.”

Centre-half Manga, who is in the Gabon squad for their opening Nations Cup clash on Saturday when they take on Guineau Bassau, looked certain to be leaving the Bluebirds this month.

But Warnock has been impressed by the big defender in training and matches, saying: “A Major League Soccer (USA) club made an enquiry for him, but the way I feel at the moment, I’m quite happy to keep him.

“If I can do business elsewhere to cover the ins and outs then I’m quite happy to have Bruno back until the end of the season and try and talk him into another contract.”

Warnock had already talked about how difficult it would be to sell Manga, one of the biggest earners at the club, while he was away playing in Africa.

The final is being played on February 5 and Manga will only return once Gabon have ended their involvement.

Gabon are hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and they are in a group with Guinneau Bassau, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

They have every chance of making good progress in the tournament, particularly as South Africa and Nigeria both failed to qualify for the finals.

Lacey forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, averaging almost a goal a game for Borussia Dortmund in Germany, is among Manga’s team-mates for Gabon.

The most experienced players in the Gabon team are Didier Ovona (KV Oostende) and Manga, while the team coach is former Spanish footballer Jose Antonio Alfaro.