Neil Warnock has insisted that his Cardiff City side are not under any extra pressure to earn Championship promotion following their impressive start to the campaign.

The veteran boss, who has earned a joint-record seven promotions during his managerial career, takes his side to Birmingham City on Friday night seeking an eighth win in 12 outings.

Cardiff have lost just one match this term to find themselves top of the second tier with a quarter of the 2017-18 season played, but Warnock is refusing to get carried away in his quest for another promotion.

"I don't think there's any expectations on us," he told reporters. "We don't have to worry about that, as I don't think our fans expected anything other than, 'Can we try and get in the playoffs?'. I won't let anyone get carried away - not even our fans. I don't mind them dreaming, but not getting carried away.

"I don't see any pressure. I said to our lot, 'Let's enjoy it while we're there - don't let's worry about where we are'. The next five games will decide a lot in our season, really. We have another international break then and I think after 15 games you are well down the road, you have an idea of what you have.

"I always said to our lot originally that if we can be in the top six by the end of October and top 10 by January I would be quite happy, because I think we would have a chance of the playoffs. But where we are now is all credit to the boys. So if we can stay in that top area after the next five games I'll be delighted."

Cardiff, one point clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the summit, are unbeaten in four games since suffering their only loss of the campaign away to Preston North End.