Cardiff City

Cardiff City boss tells Ian Hunt he's relishing City's Championship return, and the big Wrexham opener.

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Cardiff City's Carabao Cup second round contest with Norwich City will take place on Tuesday, 25 August (19:00 BST).

The Bluebirds defeated Swindon Town 3-2 in the opening round and were rewarded with another home tie against fellow Championship side Norwich.

The Canaries defeated MK Dons 4-1 at Carrow Road in round one and will make the trip to the Welsh capital later this month.

The winner of the tie will progress into the third round, where the regionalisation of the tournament comes to an end.

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Brian Barry-Murphy believes Yousef Salech is continuing to improve following the Cardiff City striker's lengthy spell on the sidelines last season.

The 24-year-old missed 12 league games after sustaining a neck injury during the Bluebirds' 1-1 draw against Stockport County on 24 January.

Despite his spell out of action, the Danish forward ended the 2025-26 season with 15 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions as Cardiff won promotion from League One .

Salech's ruthlessness in front of goal has again been evident in the build-up to next Monday's league opener against Wrexham.

The frontman netted twice in last Saturday's 3-2 EFL Cup first-round win over Swindon Town having also scored in a 4-1 pre-season triumph over Italian giants Roma a week earlier.

And head coach Barry-Murphy says Salech is in a positive frame of mind as Cardiff prepare for their return to the second tier.

"I think he's improving a lot," said the Irishman.

"We're very mindful of how serious that injury was.

"We're trying to be understanding and mindful of that when we go through his training and his progress.

"But he's feeling really good and positive, so I'm very pleased for him to get another full 90 minutes under his belt [against Swindon]."

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After Saturday's EFL Cup win over Swindon, we asked Cardiff City fans what manager Brian Barry-Murphy's promoted side still needs for the Championship season which kicks off against Wrexham on Monday.

Here is what some of you had to say:

Mark: Unless Cardiff bring in at least another three or four players we will be in a dog fight at the wrong end of the table. We need another left-back, at least two midfielders and another attacker. With what we have, any major injuries and the talent is not there to replace them. The youngsters did well last season but this league is totally different. This season looks to be the toughest this league has looked in a long time. Especially with the teams that came down and the already established Championship sides.

Dafydd: The Championship looks really tough this year. The challenging Wrexham game will highlight the level we need. The centre-back position really needs strengthening. Less urgent but as important is a left-back and a winger. I am sure BBM is better aware than we are of what is needed.

Alex: I hope I'm wrong, but I've been watching City for nearly 60 years and we seem to be stumbling towards relegation, even at this early stage. We've let Wintle go and replaced him with another League One player. Reinforcements needed in all areas, but it may already be too late. BBM needs to realise that footballers can play beyond the age of 25.

Russell: We need some urgency around the box. Although the wingers get quite a lot of the ball, once again, apart from Ashford, they don't deliver any sort of cross let alone a dangerous one for Salech etc to get on the end of. Wingers required.

Nigel: Currently Cardiff will struggle in the Championship. The defence twinned with injuries is nowhere near to coping in this division.

Simon: After Saturday it is clear that we need strengthening in central defence. We also need cover at left-back and for Salech too in case of injury. The core of the team should be up to this level but the squad depth is thin. It should be a big crowd on Monday and on TV so we'll inevitably blow our chances! This is Cardiff City we're talking about...

Cardiff City got the season underway with a 3-2 win against Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup.

The Bluebirds will be in the draw for the second round thanks to Jack Moylan's winner on debut after a double by Yousef Salech.

Brian Barry-Murphy's men kick off their Championship campaign against Wrexham at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday, 17 August (20:00 BST).

The Bluebirds will have to step things up against their Welsh rivals and have defensive concerns.

What do Cardiff need to add in the final weeks of the transfer window? Can the style that earned promotion from League One produce the goods in the second tier?

How important is getting off to a strong start on home soil in front of a packed house?

Let us know your views by clicking here.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City forward Cian Ashford is enjoying playing in a more central role following his eye-catching performance in the Bluebirds' Carabao Cup win over Swindon.

The 21-year-old assisted Yousef Salech for the second goal in the 3-2 win and was also denied by the crossbar.

Ashford spent many years playing in a central role with Cardiff's academy but his minutes for the first team have almost exclusively come on the wing.

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said Ashford was the "best player" on the pitch during their win over the Robins, praise that was appreciated by the young forward.

"I enjoyed the game, I felt like I got a lot of the ball," said Ashford.

"I know it was a ropey game towards the end but I'm pleased with my performance personally and glad the gaffer thought so too.

"I feel as if I've adapted really quickly, I used to play there in the past so I feel it's quite natural for me.

"But I'm happy to play anywhere as long as I'm out there on the pitch."

There is increasing competition in the Cardiff squad for the starting number 10 role.

Wales international Rubin Colwill is currently dealing with an ankle injury but is a key figure when fit, while new signing Jack Moylan struck the winner on Saturday.

"Healthy competition is what we're going to need with the standard of the Championship," said Ashford.

"We all have to be at our best for the full season. The gaffer wants us to keep playing the same way with the same attitude from minute one to minute 90.

"We're going to be really positive, take the confidence and belief from last year and see where it takes us."

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Cardiff City defender Will Fish is set to miss the first three months of the Championship season because of a hernia injury.

The 23-year-old, who played 38 games in League One last season, is set for an operation on Monday and is one of a number of injury concerns for the Bluebirds.

Calum Chambers is recovering from a knee injury and academy product Dylan Lawlor did not train last week.

But Brian Barry-Murphy insists the club will not make any knee-jerk reactions in the transfer window.

"We never react because of injuries unless they're really long-term," said the head coach. "But I think we need new players, new additions.

"You saw how stretched we are in terms of numbers, and that's even if the players who are injured were fit.

"So we're very conscious that we have to strengthen the squad."

Cardiff were made to dig deep to beat League Two Swindon 3-2 in the EFL Cup on Saturday.

Perry Ng, who has played the majority of his career at full-back, started in central defence for the Bluebirds alongside Gabriel Osho.

Barry-Murphy would have taken Osho off in the second half but had no defenders to replace him with.

"I should have taken him off in the game, he was quite sore towards the end," said Barry-Murphy.

"We just had no centre-back cover on the bench, so took a bit of a risk there and I hope he's okay in the days coming up."

The Bluebirds had Jack Moylan to thank for booking their place in the second round of the cup, as the former Lincoln man marked his debut with a winning goal.

"Once he settles in here and has time, his quality will become really evident for the supporters," said Barry-Murphy.

"And you saw in the end, he'll give everything for the club, which is the most important thing."

Cardiff start their Championship season against Wrexham on Monday, 17 August in the Welsh capital.

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Can't get enough of your beloved Championship club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 Championship sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, in-depth features, interviews, fan views, quizzes - the works.

We'll also have live text pages for every Championship match this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Championship team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

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Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway insists he would be "delighted" if the League Two side repeat last season's 2-1 defeat by Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.

The Bluebirds, who thrashed Italian giants Roma 4-1 in their final pre-season friendly last weekend, kick off the season against the Robins at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The teams met at the same stage in the 2025-26 competition, when goals by Cian Ashford and Rubin Colwill earned Cardiff victory on their way to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by Chelsea.

Brian Barry-Murphy's men went on to earn a return to the Championship at the first attempt as League One runners-up.

"They have got almost exactly the same squad and look how well they have done," Holloway told BBC Radio Wiltshire.

"Their manager worked with Pep Guardiola and you can see it in their style. Brian is a wonderful fellow and he is trying to do it his way.

"We lost 2-1 last season, if we get anything close to that then I'll be delighted. In the first half we let them have it (possession), which we won't be doing again.

"They might play around us and get through us – they have done it already to teams who are a lot better than us – but we will see where we can go."

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Tony Pulis believes Cardiff City is a massive club that would grace the Premier League, but warns they will need to step up a level as they return to the Championship after a season in League One.

The experienced former Premier League manager - whose lengthy career included spells in charge at Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough - was impressed by the Bluebirds as they won promotion in their first season under boss Brian Barry-Murphy.

"Obviously Cardiff had a fantastic season last year and they get promoted back up to the Championship," Newport-born Pulis told Radio Wales Breakfast.

"They've got a massive challenge on next year. The Championship is getting stronger and stronger every season.

"You know, for me, Cardiff is a massive football club, always has been in my mind, and would definitely be a great addition to the Premier League, never mind the Championship.

"So it'll be interesting to see what Brian does."

Cardiff, who were runners-up to Lincoln City as they made an immediate bounce-back from League One, have signed Lincoln midfielder Jack Moylan in preparation for their return to the second tier.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international is only the second signing of the summer for Cardiff, who converted goalkeeper Nathan Trott's successful promotion-winning loan spell from Copenhagen into a permanent deal in May.

"I think recruitment is massive and obviously investment. If you've got the investment and the recruitment right, then you've got a chance," added 68-year-old Pulis.

"I think they will need to step up a level. I think Brian's obviously put an identity on the football club, the way they play.

"So things are looking really bright down there at the moment."

We asked Cardiff fans for their views on what the Bluebirds still need to do before the start of the new Championship season. Cardiff have made just one signing but are closing in on another and looked good in their surprise pre-season victory against Italian giants Roma.

Here are some of the replies.

Lew: The team has promising youth backup in a lot of positions, but I think we would benefit from some further experienced support at full-back. Joel Bagan, Perry Ng and Ronan Kpakio all have their skills, but you can't expect them to make it through a season without getting injured. I think some more support up top for Yousef Salech will be key to scoring more this year too.

David: The manager and team did a brilliant job last season - yes it was League One but the manager was still newish to management, and the team was full of very young inexperienced players. We all know the Championship is very tough. We have lost some very experienced players and have only signed 1 player, our keeper on loan last season. We need the cliche 2,3,4 signings who are experienced in this league to complement the great young talent we have. Position wise, it has to be the spine; central defence, central midfield and centre forward.

Jeff: The end of last season showed Cardiff were only just capable of second place - not bringing in experienced championship players will result in probably getting four points from the first eight games. Then we will be trying to get some players in to join a club that doesn't know how to be successful. Cardiff City will probably go back down there's no forward strategy for getting into the Premier League. Our young players will run out of steam way before the middle of the season and probably get overwhelmed with injuries from youngsters trying to impress in a poor squad.

Lynn: Cardiff need a second striker, a central defender to play alongside Dylan Lawlor, a full back with experience, and Omari Kellyman back!

Jon: We need cover at left back, a central midfielder, two pacy wingers and a striker or we could well be back in League One next season!

Daf: BBM did wonders in his first full season, introducing more youngsters into the fold with Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill and other brief appearances with other youngsters in cup ties but personally we need more strength in depth. That means possibly another CB (if Dylan Lawlor goes to West Ham), a LB as we can't rely on Bagan all season, a Central midfielder, then two more wingers. Then we should give Roko Šimić a chance as we are going to need to be more physical in the top areas of the pitch.

Adam: We've obviously massively under-resourced at present. Fewer players than we had when we were in League One last year. But this is the way the summer transfer market works, not helped by it being a World Cup year. Biggest signing of the season is BBM extending his stay. In BBM we trust. Patience.

James: Dylan Lawlor staying is effectively the same as a £15m transfer. The bulk of the squad is a year more experienced and should handle the step up. Bringing Omari Kellyman back and a replacement for Ryan Wintle would be more than enough.

Stuart: We should keep playing the young lads from the academy. But we need to invest in a big bruising centre forward and a clever experienced playmaker to take the strain off the younger lads. Then we pray for an injury free season!

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Cardiff City defender Jesper Daland has joined Norwegian side Viking FK on loan until the end of January 2027.

The centre back, 26, returns to his native country having spent last season on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf, who were relegated to the German third tier.

Daland has made 23 competitive appearances for the Bluebirds since joining the club from Belgian team Cercle Brugge KSV in 2024.

His loan at Viking is until 31 January.