**Cardiff City Suffer Dual Injury Setbacks as Striker’s Future Remains Unclear**
Cardiff City’s preparations for the new season have been hit by a double blow, with concerns mounting over injuries to two key players and ongoing speculation surrounding the future of striker Kion Etete.
During the Bluebirds’ final pre-season match—a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Notts County—midfielder Alex Robertson was forced to leave the field prematurely due to a severe shin injury. Manager Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed after the match that Robertson would require stitches after being caught by an uncompromising challenge from Ollie Norburn. Barry-Murphy did not hide his dismay, stating, “Alex has a significant gash on his shin. In my view, it was a poor tackle to make at that height and treatment is required.”
The injury list grew during the latter stages of the game, as Isaak Davies was also withdrawn. Although supporters initially feared the worst, Barry-Murphy provided some reassurance regarding the Welsh forward. “Isaak’s experiencing a slight tightness in his hamstring,” the boss explained. “We’re not overly worried, but given his past problems, it’s something that needs to be monitored. Our challenge is to protect him while also ensuring he can fulfil his undoubted potential.”
The timing of these setbacks could hardly be worse for Cardiff. The match against League Two opposition marked their last friendly prior to their League One curtain-raiser against Peterborough United at home next Saturday. Reflecting on how pre-season has unfolded, Barry-Murphy struck an upbeat note: “It’s a real privilege to be part of this club right now. The fans have provided incredible support—they just want to see a side that represents Cardiff City with pride and spirit. We’ve sensed that drive from them and want to build a team that inspires excitement every weekend.”
Meanwhile, uncertainty lingers over Etete’s role at the club. Despite being fit, the striker has not featured for Cardiff since their return from pre-season training in Spain. Reliable sources suggest his omission is solely due to a management decision, fuelling rumours that he could be set for a departure before the transfer window closes. This is all the more noteworthy given Cardiff’s limited options upfront, having already loaned out both Michael Reindorf and Roko Simic. While Davies’ chequered injury record may cause further headaches, Barry-Murphy currently seems to favour Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson as his main attacking partnership. Youngsters Luke Pearce and Mannie Barton have also been named as alternative options.
Saturday’s match against Notts County also saw a host of shirt number changes, hinting at Barry-Murphy’s thinking ahead of next weekend’s opener. Notably, Salech wore the No.9 shirt, previously Etete’s number—a switch that many view as yet another indication of a shifting hierarchy at the club. Additional changes included Eli King taking over the No.8 shirt from Joe Ralls, with further adjustments for Isaak Davies, Ronan Kpakio, Ollie Tanner, Joel Bagan, and Callum Robinson.
Despite the recent setbacks, team spirit seems high. Midfielder Eli King—who spent the last campaign at Stevenage—has spoken positively about the current mood within the squad. Having performed well in midfield during the draw with Notts County, he credits Barry-Murphy for creating a sense of energy and accountability: “The manager has us enjoying both football and training again. There’s a sense of responsibility on every player, which is what we need. Everyone is motivated by the knowledge that starting places are up for grabs.”
King highlighted the competitive nature of the Notts County encounter, noting, “We played at good intensity and kept applying ourselves right to the end. Games like this are what we need to ensure everyone is match-ready for the real challenges ahead.”
With the new League One season on the horizon, King hopes to secure a more prominent role in Barry-Murphy’s system. He emphasised the importance of adaptability in central midfield, both in terms of passing and controlling the game: “Adapting to the manager’s preferred style is crucial. Central midfielders in this set-up must be able to vary their passing and respond to the tempo of the match.”
As Cardiff City deal with their injury concerns and ongoing transfer speculation, the squad remain united and focused on delivering a strong start. Supporters can look forward to seeing how the Bluebirds respond to these challenges when they take to the pitch against Peterborough United—a match that promises to set the tone for an eventful new campaign.