Bielik and Osho provide defensive boost for Cardiff

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City's defensive crisis has been alleviated by the "positive" arrival of Krystian Bielik and the potential return of Gabriel Osho.

Bielik has joined the Bluebirds on a three-year contract from West Bromwich Albion, while Osho has returned to training after sustaining a knee injury during the 1-1 draw against Wrexham.

In addition to Osho, who could play against Sheffield United on Saturday, Cardiff have been missing injured centre-backs Calum Chambers, Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish.

"We've had relatively positive news. Gabriel Osho trained on Tuesday, so hopefully he'll continue today," said Barry-Murphy.

"We haven't seen a lot of Krystian yet because of the hurried nature of this [transfer], so we'll see how he is today in training and then make a judgement.

"As pleased as we are to have him here, I think it's important that we don't rush him into doing something that he's not ready for."

Barry-Murphy says that while Bielik's arrival eases the defensive worries, it also offers options in central midfield.

The versatility of the ex-Derby and Birmingham player is why the Cardiff boss has been tracking him for a "very long time ".

"I think the situation was urgent probably from the time that Ryan Wintle left the club," added Barry-Murphy.

"We're very aware of that area of the team needing significant reinforcements, and Krystian was always the one that we wanted to bring in, if possible.

"His qualities are obvious. He's a highly technical player who's played at a very high level for a very long time.

"The appeal of Krystian is that we see him equally adept at playing both as a holding midfield player and as a centre-back, and whatever we think is most beneficial for the team and the opponents we face.

"If he does well enough, then he's a player. If he doesn't, then obviously he has strong competition in both departments.

Barry-Murphy is also keen to make further additions to his squad before the end of the transfer window but says he "hasn't a clue" if any deals are close.

But he acknowledges that such moves can take time.

"Obviously, it's just how it is," added Barry-Murphy.

"We would have loved to have Krystian in six weeks ago, but it just wasn't possible. It's much better than not having him here at all.

"I think the most important thing for me was to have a real belief and sense of his ambition to improve and kick on and do more in his career, because he's still very young for a player of so much experience.

"I would rather have it that way than have somebody that we don't quite have the same belief or want here."