North West Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says he is crossing his fingers that a late injury to striker Yousef Salech is not serious.

The Bluebirds striker returned to goal-scoring form on Saturday, scoring Cardiff's second in a 3-1 win over Charlton Athletic.

However the afternoon did not end as planned, as Salech injured his shoulder following an attempted header in the Charlton box.

The 24-year-old looked in considerable discomfort as he was replaced with his arm in a sling, clutching at his shoulder.

Speaking after the win, Cardiff boss Barry-Murphy says concerns about the severity of the injury eased following the game.

"He seems okay," said Barry-Murphy.

"We were concerned he may have damaged his shoulder but after the game he looks relatively okay, he looks relatively comfortable in the changing room."

Salech missed considerable time in the second half of last season after suffering a nerve injury in his neck and back against Stockport.

But Barry-Murphy says this latest knock is unrelated to his previous injury.

"He had that injury last season with the nerve issue, but it's unrelated," added Barry-Murphy.

"That was in his neck and back, this is just a shoulder injury.

"I've seen him in the changing rooms and it doesn't look bad. So fingers crossed."

Salech has three weeks to recover before Cardiff's next Championship game, away at Blackburn Rovers on 10 October.