Cardiff City

Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy previews Cardiff's test at promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City will be without both Dylan Lawlor and Rubin Colwill for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

Defender Lawlor was forced off early in Tuesday's win against Watford with a hamstring injury.

It came just three days after the 20-year-old centre-back had made his first start of the season, having recovered from a knee problem picked up on Wales duty in June.

Lawlor - who missed all four of Wales' October Nations League games - is due to have a scan on Friday to discover the full extent of the injury, and with just four weeks to go until the final two international fixtures of the year, there are fears Lawlor could still be on the sidelines when Wales face Norway on 14 November and for Portugal's visit to Cardiff three days later.

Midfielder Colwill has missed the past five matches with an ankle problem and will remain unavailable this weekend.

Striker Yousef Salech is in contention to return while defender Krystian Bielik is back after serving a two game ban following his controversial altercation with a Portsmouth fan during their Championship match at Fratton Park in September.

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy delivers his assessment of the Bluebirds' 5-1 win over Watford.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City will assess the extent of Dylan Lawlor's hamstring injury after the Wales defender left the pitch in anguish against Watford.

Lawlor covered his face with his shirt when he was forced off in the 29th minute of the Bluebirds' 5-1 win over Watford on Tuesday.

It came just three days after the centre-back made his first start of the season having recovered from a knee problem picked up on Wales duty in June.

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed the 20-year-old had suffered a hamstring problem but said he would have to wait for the results of a scan on Wednesday before discovering how long he could be without the six-cap international.

Lawlor missed all four of Wales' recent Nations League games with the knee issue that also ruled him out of the June friendly in Romania.

He recovered to make a substitute appearance for Cardiff in the win over Charlton before the international break, but was allowed to continue his return to fitness at his club rather than go away with Craig Bellamy's squad.

He was withdrawn in the latter stages of Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers as a precaution.

But now both he and Cardiff fans face a nervous wait, with Barry-Murphy likely to deliver an update ahead of Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

Wales boss Bellamy will be eager to find out if it impacts plans for next month's games with Norway and Portugal.

Lawlor's fellow Wales international Rubin Colwill could return this weekend having trained on Tuesday morning.

Yousef Salech will also be hoping to be cleared to play having also trained following a shoulder injury.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach hopes his side's thumping win over Watford can be a springboard in their Championship season.

The Bluebirds were hovering above the relegation places before Tuesday's visit of the Hornets.

It had seen some describe the fixture as must-win given the upcoming games against a string of promotion hopefuls, starting at second-placed Middlesbrough on Saturday.

But having been criticised for not taking chances in front of goal following their promotion from League One, Cardiff showed their attacking threat with a confident 5-1 win over the struggling Hornets.

It was the perfect way to bounce back from a disappointing performance in defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with Cardiff securing a second successive home win.

And asked if it could be a turning point, boss Brian Barry-Murphy said: "I hope so. I think every game in the Championship is such a difficult challenge.

"We had really good intentions on Saturday of doing the exact same thing and it wasn't to be.

"We just weren't at our best and we were very intent on going for the win against Watford and we'll do the exact same on Saturday and see if we're good enough."

The trip to Boro kicks-off a run of games that includes a resurgent Birmingham City, Wolves and West Ham.

"We can't wait, we wanted this challenge, that's why we worked so hard last season," said Barry-Murphy.

"We just have to focus on one game at a time because if you start looking ahead too far it just gets too confusing for everyone.

"We'll focus on the next game, like we did against Watford, give it everything we have, see what players are available, and then do our best."

Image source, BBC Sport

Cardiff City returned from the extended international window with a 2-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Bluebirds were once again missing key players such as Rubin Colwill, Yousef Salech and Calum Chambers.

We asked what you think Cardiff need to fix, and this is what you had to say.

David: They needed to strengthen the side as soon as promotion to the Championship was confirmed. As usual, talked a lot on how they were going to get new players but didn't. Look where they now.

Rick: The squad is lacking in quality in key areas - at absolute minimum a proper number six and cover for Yousef Salech. The fans are already resigned to just survival in the division as being the primary target. Brian Barry-Murphy is trusted and we love his style of play, but he definitely needs players in January. But who knows what Vincent Tan wants?

Gav: The recruitment team should be working flat out to find the players Barry-Murphy needs so we can improve and build in January. It might be the case that we get up to speed and improve the longer the season goes on, but we can't risk pressure being put on the manager who is the best fit for us in decades.

Lyndon: Unfortunately there are too many youngsters with not enough experience at this level. More experience was required before this campaign and all the fans knew it. Total lack of investment from the board, as usual. Time for a new board and some fresh ideas.

Mike: Team needs physicality, someone to boss midfield, someone who is experienced and been around, sort of a bit nasty and difficult. We also need a goal poacher, a finisher, to all the opportunities being created.

Ben: Abundantly clear we can't keep a clean sheet for love nor money. How about beefing up the midfield, especially the middle of the park when we're away from home?

Image source, BBC Sport

It was back to business, but not as Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy had hoped for as his side lost 2-1 at Blackburn on Saturday.

Barry-Murphy later expressed his frustration at what he viewed as a "lack off aggressiveness", particularly in the first half.

But he also highlighted a much-improved second-half performance.

So what are your thoughts as Cardiff are only above the Championship relegation zone on goal difference?

Let us know your views by clicking here.

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Brian Barry-Murphy revealed he subbed Dylan Lawlor at Blackburn Rovers as he did not want to risk the young defender after he felt soreness in his knee.

Lawlor got his first start in Cardiff's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn, having missed the first 10 games of the season due to a knee injury suffered while playing for Wales.

The 20-year-old managed 78 minutes at Ewood Park before being replaced by Calum Scanlon as a precaution.

"He was a bit sore on his knee, and we only had one more stoppage left to make changes," said boss Barry-Murphy.

"I didn't want to leave him on in case he had to come off. We made the changes in that situation so that we would not be left with 10 men.

"Dylan is a great lad, a great player, and he will improve a lot from today."

Cardiff will hope that Lawlor can shake off any fitness issues ahead of Tuesday evening's meeting with Watford at Cardiff City Stadium.

Summer signing Krystian Bielik will serve the last of his two-game ban during the week, while Will Fish could feature after being named in the team at Blackburn.

Fish has not featured for Cardiff at all this season, having been in recovery after a hernia injury.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says centre-back pair Will Fish and Dylan Lawlor are available for Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers, but Rubin Colwill remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Fish - who played 45 games for the Bluebirds last season - has not featured this campaign having been recovering from surgery on a hernia injury.

Meanwhile, Wales international Lawlor made his return from a knee injury with a brief substitute appearance in Cardiff's last game against Charlton on 19 September.

Cardiff, who sit 21st in the Championship after eight games, will continue to be without Calum Chambers who is struggling with a knee injury.

However, the return of Fish and Lawlor will be a big boost to the Bluebirds, who have regularly been forced to play full-backs in a central role during the early stages of the season.

"[Fish and Lawlor] are all good, the break has benefitted them and they are good to go," said Barry-Murphy.

"Calum is not back in training, he's seen a specialist today. We'll know more about his injury after that.

"I was hopeful we'd have one or two more players back by this junction. Hopefully they will all be fit sooner rather than later."

Cardiff remain without Colwill, with Barry-Murphy hopeful the 24-year-old will return to full training next week.

And striker Yousef Salech remains a doubt for Saturday's game at Ewood Park having suffered a shoulder injury in the closing stages of their win over Charlton.

"He was back on the pitch on Tuesday, we'll have to check with him," said Barry-Murphy.

"He hasn't trained with us yet so we'll have to see how he is today make a decision about Saturday afternoon.

"Isaak [Davies] has been back in full training today and has done a lot of work over the international break, but Rubin won't be fit for Saturday.

"And Alex Robertson has had shin splints and a tight Achilles. We don't think he'll train today but hopefully he'll train tomorrow and be fit for Saturday."