Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has revealed a loan deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton could lead to a formal link-up with the European champions.

"When a club like Manchester United loan you a player, it means they believe in what you are trying to do," said Jones.

"It means they trust the club, and me as a manager, to help their future stars develop.

"If Tom's move is a success, as we hope it will be, then we will have a good chance of getting more players in the future. That can only be a good thing for Cardiff."

Jones continued: "When the European champions, one of the best clubs in the world, send you a player, you know you are getting quality.

"So you look to build that rapport as strongly as possible. That has to be the next aim.

"We know it is a one-way thing and Manchester United call the shots. If they don't want a deal to happen, it doesn't. But they obviously believe we are doing something right down here. And, if they want to loan us their players, that is something we want to keep going."