Neil Warnock has backed Craig Bellamy’s bid to start his managerial career at Oxford United.

Cardiff City boss Warnock would be losing one of his own management team should Bellamy decide to leave his current role as player development manager at his former club.

But Warnock- whose team extended the gap between themselves in second spot and the chasing clubs in the Championship play-off places to four points on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win at Ipswich – thinks the time is right for Bellamy to fly the nest.

Bellamy is currently in talks with Oxford about taking charge at the League One club and Warnock said: “He has got all the attributes.

“He has been coaching now for a while. He was disappointed I think not to get the Welsh job.

“I think it’s great – players going into lower division clubs. I think it is fantastic because you have got to learn the job, and I think he’ll do well. I think he will be a good appointment.”

Oxford are currently 15th in League One and five points above the relegation zone.

Former Wales striker Bellamy has held a series of discussions with the club over the last fortnight and looks set to replace Pep Clotet, sacked at the end of last month.

Bellamy, 38, who won 78 caps for his country, was interviewed by the FAW to replace Chris Coleman before the job eventually went to Ryan Giggs.

But he could now be confirmed for his first job in management in time to be in the dugout for Saturday’s match at Northampton Town.