Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy confirms Dylan Lawlor's hamstring injury will keep him out until after the international break, with other squad boosts

Cardiff City have been dealt a blow with Dylan Lawlor ruled out until after the November international break after suffering a hamstring injury.

The defender had only recently returned from a lengthy spell out with a knee problem and had been working hard to get back to full fitness, but he now faces another spell on the sidelines, with Cardiff having four games between now and the next November break.

Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed the extent of the injury ahead of Saturday's fixture, admitting he was disappointed for the young defender after the work he had put into his recovery.

“Dylan's hamstring injury means he won't be back until after the international break,” he said. “That's his timescale for now.”

Barry-Murphy conceded there was some frustration over the setback, particularly given Lawlor's previous injury problems, but insisted the latest absence would give the club an opportunity to ensure he is properly rehabilitated before returning.

“Very disappointing, because he's put so much work into coming back from the knee injury he suffered so long ago,” the Cardiff manager said.

“But this gives him a chance to do his rehabilitation properly, without rushing, and make sure that when he comes back, he's good to go again.”

Lawlor enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, featuring regularly for Cardiff, but his progress has been disrupted during the current term.

“With young players, there are always different challenges that come along,” Barry-Murphy said. “He had an incredible season last season, when he played so many games for us.

“This season, so far, that hasn't been the case. But if he does his rehabilitation in the way I'm sure he will, hopefully he can come back this time for the full season.”

The manager also revealed Lawlor had still been experiencing discomfort in his knee following his return to action, with the new hamstring injury offering an opportunity to address that issue.

“The positive is that his knee hasn't been pain-free since the Ghana game for Wales,” he said.

“Even when he came back against Blackburn, he still had some pain in it. In the game against Watford, when he got injured, he wasn't totally pain-free or comfortable.

“So this five- or six-week period, however long it is, gives us a chance to really protect his knee, strengthen it and make sure that when he comes back from this hamstring injury as well, he's in a very positive position to be fit for the remainder of the season.”

Barry-Murphy also admitted there was some regret over the workload Lawlor had been given immediately after returning from injury.

Asked whether he had any regrets about playing the defender for 80 minutes against Blackburn before starting him again four days later, the Cardiff boss said: “A little bit, yeah. In an ideal world, when something happens, hindsight is an easy thing.

“But he did a really good job against Blackburn and we wanted to give him some consistency. We needed him, really, so we were limited in the options we had. Will Fish had just come back from injury, so it is what it is now and we just have to move forward.”

The club's head of medical, James, will oversee Lawlor's rehabilitation before the defender is handed over to Kevin Gibbins and his team to work towards a return to regular action.

Salech back fit as Cardiff receive boost

There was better news for Cardiff in attack, with Yousef Salech back in full training and available for selection.

The striker's return offers Barry-Murphy another option up front, although Jack Moylan's recent form means the manager is not about to make any promises about the starting line-up.

“Yousef Salech is back in full training. He's fit and good to go,” Barry-Murphy said.

Asked whether Salech would return straight to the team, the Cardiff boss said the decision would be made after the squad's final training sessions.

“We always pick the team in the same manner. We're going to train today and tomorrow, and then pick what we think is the best team and squad for Saturday's game.

“Obviously, Jack [Moylan] is in rich form, where he looks like scoring and creating goals in every game, so we're very grateful for that. But to have Yousef back is a huge lift for us all.”

Ng closing in on return as Colwill gets closer

Perry Ng is also expected to return to training, with Cardiff hopeful the defender will be available for Saturday after a back problem.

Ng suffered a bang to his lower back against Watford and was in significant discomfort last weekend, but his condition has improved day by day.

“Perry is expected to train today, and his back condition is improving daily, so hopefully he'll be available for Saturday,” Barry-Murphy said.

Asked whether it had been another twinge, the manager explained: “A spasm, I think, yeah. He got a bang to his lower back against Watford later on and was in a pretty bad way last weekend, but he's improved day by day and hopefully he'll be available.”

Rubin Colwill is also edging closer, although Barry-Murphy is determined not to rush the attacking midfielder back before he is fully comfortable following his lengthy injury absence.

“Rubin Colwill is close, but we're not quite sure about him yet,” he said.

The manager added: “I'm really pleased. Obviously, he's such a huge player for us.

“The temptation for all of us, myself included, is to get him back as soon as possible. He's been out for so long with this injury, and even when he came back previously, he wasn't perfect.

“I just want to make sure he's really confident and assured in how he's moving, so that we can get him back for the remainder of the season and not just rush him back for one game.”

Davies and Kpakio updates

Isaak Davies could also be back with the squad after welcoming a baby boy.

Barry-Murphy said: “Isaak Davies has just had a baby boy, so fingers crossed he's back with us today. Big congratulations to him and his family, and we'll see how he is.”

Ronan Kpakio, meanwhile, had been struggling with a dead leg after Cardiff's draw with Middlesbrough.

The young defender was forced off in the second half, but the manager is hopeful he will be able to train ahead of the weekend.

“It was a tough game for us all. Ronan had a dead leg, so we had to take him off later in the second half,” Barry-Murphy said.

“I don't think he's trained this week either, but hopefully he'll train today.”

Callum Robinson is back in training after missing out on the squad for Cardiff's draw with Middlesbrough, with Brian Barry-Murphy explaining that he had fallen short of certain internal standards required for selection.

Joel Colwill is fine after illness

Joel Colwill was substituted at half-time against Middlesbrough after struggling with illness in the lead-up to the game.

Barry-Murphy said the midfielder had been unwell, as had his brother Rubin, and he had wanted to protect him rather than risk making the situation worse.

“He'd been unwell in the lead-up to the game. His brother had been quite sick, and Joel had some issues himself,” he said.

“I wasn't quite sure how well he was, even though he was telling me he was fine. So I just tried to help him and protect him.”

Asked whether Joel was now okay, Barry-Murphy replied: “He seems fine.”