Cardiff City

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Former Cardiff City forward Nathan Blake believes the Bluebirds are right not to rush into the market for a centre-back despite their defensive injury crisis.

Cardiff were without a senior option at centre-back for Saturday's 2-2 draw at Derby County, and could be in a similar boat when they host Norwich in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers, Will Fish and Gabriel Osho are all out injured, but Blake feels his old side should still exercise caution on the transfer front.

"I understand if they do [sign someone], but I would also understand if they were slightly reluctant, because once everyone is fit, you're back to having five or six centre-halves," he said on the BBC's Feast of Football podcast.

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"Only two are going to play, three maximum. If you sign a player and you tell him he's going to play, he plays well, there's only one of the four who you can bring back in."

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has echoed that view, insisting clubs would be reluctant to send Cardiff another player if they cast a loanee aside once their injured defenders return.

The Bluebirds know they will be without Fish for an extended period, but Barry-Murphy has not confirmed a timescale for the return of Lawlor (pictured above), Chambers or Osho.

Cardiff's vulnerable fitness issues could lead to a debut for 15-year-old defender Noah Anyadike, who featured in the club's final pre-season friendly against AS Roma.

"I know there is competition for places; I believe in that heavily, but, as a manager, you also don't want to upset your balance," Blake added.

"He [Brian Barry-Murphy] has been really strategic in his signings, both last season and this season. They haven't rushed out like a kiddy in a sweets shop."

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Cardiff City striker Yousef Salech has been named Carabao Cup player of the round after starring in their victory over Swindon Town.

The Danish forward scored twice and provided an assist as the Bluebirds got their campaign going with a win over League Two opposition.

Salech, 24, scored a penalty to draw Cardiff level before giving them the lead on the stroke of half-time with a first-time volley.

He then set up Jack Moylan for the winner that earned a home tie against Championship rivals Norwich City in the second round on Tuesday, 25 August (19:00 BST).

Salech heads into that game having scored his first league goal of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Derby County.

"He played really well. His movement was really good, and he dominated physically against a really good player," head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said of Salech's recent performance.

Cian Ashford says he has high hopes for Cardiff City - and himself - after an encouraging start to the new Championship season.

Ashford scored his first goal of the new campaign in Saturday's draw at Derby County.

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Brian Barry-Murphy has stressed he must protect Rubin Colwill's fitness, despite the midfielder's importance to Cardiff City.

Colwill, 24, had been suffering with an ankle concern in pre-season but has returned to action with a goal and an assist in Cardiff's two opening Championship fixtures.

Barry-Murphy admitted he cannot be overzealous with Colwill's involvement after he was withdrawn before the hour during the Bluebirds' 2-2 draw at Derby.

"I don't want to be greedy with how often he has played and how little he has trained," said Barry-Murphy.

"It's good to have him back. He improved a lot through the game. We will try to keep him fit."

Colwill teed up Yousuf Salech for Cardiff's second goal at Derby, continuing his fine start to the campaign after a free-kick equaliser against Wrexham.

Barry-Murphy is having to contend with several injuries at the start of his first Championship campaign, with four centre-backs currently out.

He does not expect to add summer signing Jack Moylan to his list of unavailable players, even though he was forced off at Pride Park.

"It was just a dead leg. The way Jack plays the game, there is going to be a lot of contact made. He will be fine," Barry-Murphy said.

Cardiff face Championship rivals Norwich City in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 25 August (19:00 BST).

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Cian Ashford praised Rubin Colwill's maturity and backed his teammate to play a key role for the Bluebirds this season.

In the absence of the injured Calum Chambers, Colwill, 24, wore the armband as Cardiff were pegged back twice to draw 2-2 at Derby on Saturday.

The 10-time Welsh international caught the eye on the opening weekend with a stunning late free-kick against Wrexham before turning provider at Pride Park.

Colwill teed up Yousuf Salech for Cardiff's second goal of the afternoon, after Ashford, 21, had opened the scoring, although the visitors saw their lead wiped out.

"You could definitely see last year, and this year, how mature his game is, how good he is for us, how positive he is getting on the ball and driving with it," said Ashford.

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"He creates a lot of positive moments. I think he is going to be key for us this year.

"He's a very big lad as well. Maybe he will get his head on a couple of goals this year, as well."

Ashford (pictured above) was also full of praise for summer signing Jack Moylan, with whom he has already started to form a positive relationship in the final third.

Moylan, who arrived from fellow promoted side Lincoln City, has already opened his Cardiff account with a goal against Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup.

But what has impressed Ashford more than anything is how quickly the Republic of Ireland international has settled in south Wales.

"He's quite easy to play with, to be honest. He's come in and done well," Cardiff academy graduate Ashford continued.

"Not only can I say that [I've got a good connection with him], but a few other boys will agree with that. He's been a good addition to the squad.

"I'm feeling positive. I've got high hopes for me and the team. I'm hoping we can go on and have a good season together."

Brian Barry-Murphy was satisfied with his side after they drew 2-2 at Derby.

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Calum Scanlon says he insisted Liverpool return him to an "ambitious" Cardiff City squad for a second time on loan this season.

Left-back Scanlon, 21, has returned to the Welsh capital for the whole of the 2026-27 campaign, after helping the club secure promotion to the Championship last season.

Scanlon began his second spell by going straight into the starting XI in the 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

The defender says Liverpool are supportive of his latest move and expect him to get plenty of first team action.

"It's my decision what club I go to. In those meetings [at Liverpool], we do discuss it," Scanlon said.

"Obviously, everyone knows other clubs. But for me, it was always coming back to Cardiff. That's why I'm here."

The England U20 international said Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy had told him at the end of last season that he would remain in touch.

"Once I got back from pre-season with Liverpool, he started to ring me and showed me the ambitions for the season and how he thinks I can play in the team," Scanlon added.

"That's when I knew I wanted to come back. I always had it in my mind anyway from my time here last season, I enjoyed it. It was always brilliant to come back here and get started again."

As well as his Cardiff loan, Scanlon has signed a new "long term" contract with Liverpool.

He has played two competitive senior matches for the Premier League giants, having arrived at their academy set-up from Birmingham City in 2021.

"Signing that was a big moment for me again as well. It shows that the hard work that I've done has paid off," he said.

"Now that's out of the way, I still have things that I want to achieve.

"It's just a constant cycle where I've done this now, what's next? There's no stopping, so just keep improving from there."

It is 100 years since these two sides first met in a league game.

On that day in 1926, Derby won 6-3 with the first four meetings producing 27 goals between them - something similar on Saturday (15:00 BST) would certainly keep the Pride Park crowd entertained.

• Derby County have won just one of their past eight league games against Cardiff City (D2 L5), though that sole victory came in their last home fixture against the Welsh side – a 1-0 win in September 2024.

• Cardiff City have won just one of their past five away league games against Derby County (D2 L2), scoring exactly one goal in four of those matches.

• Derby are hoping to avoid losing their opening two league games of a campaign for the second consecutive season; prior to that, the Rams had only suffered that fate once since 2005-06 onwards (in 2020-21).

• Cardiff have failed to win their opening away league game of a campaign in each of the past four seasons (D2 L2), with their last in the Championship ending in a 5-0 hammering at Burnley in 2024.

• New Derby signing Alex Mowatt has netted three goals across 16 league matches against Cardiff – his joint-most against any team during his career.

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Roko Simic has completed a season-long loan switch to German side FC Magdeburg.

The forward - who is yet to make a senior appearance for Cardiff City - signed a four-year contract with the Bluebirds after joining from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2024.

He was immediately loaned out to KV Kortrijk - owned by Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan - but had his time with the Belgian club cut short after being restricted to just four appearances.

The Croatia Under-21 international spent the duration of the 2025-26 campaign with German 2. Bundesliga outfit Karlsruher SC - making 28 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring three goals.

He will now spend the upcoming campaign with FC Magdeburg, who were 14th in the German second tier last season.

A Cardiff City statement read: "We'd like to wish Roko all the best whilst on loan in Germany."

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Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has dismissed reports linking Cardiff City with Dutch midfielder Melle Meulensteen.

Former Manchester United youth player Meulensteen plays for Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles.

The son of former Red Devils assistant Rene Meulensteen, the 27-year-old missed Eagles' league match with Feyenoord on Sunday, fuelling speculation that he could be set for a transfer.

However when asked about the player as a potential Cardiff signing, Barry-Murphy said: "No. We've been linked with loads of different things but it just seems a lot of them are pretty far fetched".

Barry-Murphy remains keen to strengthen in the final 13 days of the summer transfer window, but has suggested no signings are imminent.

"Of course we need to improve the squad, we are aware of that," he added.

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Brian Barry-Murphy says Jack Moylan is the right profile of player for Cardiff City at present following his impressive league bow for the club against Wrexham.

The central midfielder - who signed a four-year deal after joining from Lincoln City earlier this month - played the duration of the 1-1 draw with Phil Parkinson's side on Monday night.

And while Barry-Murphy has promoted several of the club's academy players since becoming boss in the summer of 2025, the Irishman says he has no concerns over a potential lack of Championship experience within his ranks.

"We're very pleased with our own players and we try and bring in the best players we can for this club," said Barry-Murphy.

"We brought Jack Moylan in, who has zero Championship experience.

"But he's the right player for us at our club at this time and we'll continue to try and do the best thing for the club and the supporters."

Dylan Lawlor, Will Fish and Calum Chambers were among those to miss the draw with Wrexham through injury.

Barry-Murphy also revealed he had not wanted to bring goal scorer Rubin Colwill off the bench as early as he did given the Wales international's struggles with an ankle injury during pre-season.

And while the 48-year-old is eager to further bolster his ranks prior to the 23:00 BST transfer deadline on Tuesday, 1 September, the Cardiff boss is not in a rush to get deals over the line.

"It's obvious we're looking to add to the squad," he said.

"We are quite stretched at the moment in that position because the players are from the same area of the team. Dylan, Will, Calum Chambers.

"That doesn't change our strategy, but it means we probably looked more stretched than we probably are."