Cardiff City

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Cardiff City are facing a centre-back shortage for next weekend's League One match against promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers.

Bluebirds captain Calum Chambers was taken off at half-time during Monday's 1-1 draw at Peterborough United with a wrist injury.

Cardiff were already without Dylan Lawlor due to a toe injury sustained playing for Wales, while Gabriel Osho was serving the second game of a three-match suspension for the red card he was shown against Wycombe Wanderers last month.

The full extent of Chambers' injury is not yet known, but head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said: "He damaged that quite badly. We'll have to get that scanned and there might be an issue there.

"We're a bit stretched in that area with Dylan injured as well. Perry [Ng, usually a right-back] did a great job stepping in.

"With Gabriel Osho suspended and Dylan and Calum injured, we're quite stretched there."

Lawlor's injury is not thought to be serious, with Barry-Murphy adding: "There's no fracture but he's been in discomfort and there's a bit of swelling, so he wasn't really close [to playing] today."

Cardiff are second in League One but have won only two of their past eight matches, cutting the gap between them and the chasing pack outside the automatic promotion places from 11 points to seven.

However, they have a game in hand over Bradford City and Bolton in third and fourth place respectively, prior to Wanderers' visit to Cardiff next Saturday (12:30 BST).

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Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy insists Cardiff City are still in a "brilliant position" to win promotion from League One despite their poor recent form.

The Bluebirds are second in the table but have had their lead over the teams outside the automatic promotion positions cut from 11 to seven points.

Cardiff could only manage a 1-1 draw at Peterborough United on Monday, meaning Barry-Murphy's side have only two wins from their past eight matches.

However, they have a game in hand over Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers in third and fourth place respectively, and Cardiff host Bolton next Saturday.

"We have to accept the results recently haven't been what we've wanted but our response has been to work incredibly hard," Barry-Murphy told BBC Sport Wales.

"We're in a brilliant position. If you'd have given us this position at the start of the season, we would have been ecstatic.

"Not a lot of our players will have experienced this situation and we're trying to be as aggressive and assertive in chasing the games in what is an exciting situation."

The game at Peterborough was a familiar tale of frustration for Cardiff, who had close to 60% possession and 29 shots, including eight on target.

But as has often been the case in recent weeks, the Welsh side were unable to make their dominance count.

"We created enough chances to win the game but we didn't take them," Barry-Murphy said.

"We've been working on our attacking play to create more clear-cut chances in the wake of our recent performances where we've had domination of the ball but not enough chances.

"That element of our game was really good today and the next bit is to convert those chances."

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Former Wales international Iwan Roberts has told the Feast of Football podcast that Cardiff City defender Dylan Lawlor is "going to go to the top", following Wales' most recent international camp.

Lawlor, 20 was praised by head coach Craig Bellamy for his performance in Wales' World Cup play-off semi-final defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"After his first few performances this season, I said I think in 18 months he'll be playing in the Premier League," said Roberts

"I think he's got everything, comfortable on the ball, doesn't mind breaking the line, he's joining midfield. I think he's an absolute talent."

Former Wales striker Sam Vokes agrees the centre-back could be a huge asset for Wales.

"He's come on leaps and bounds this year, I think since we first saw him out in Kazakhstan at the heart of that defence, he's been a big player and can be a big player for us going forward.

"I think Joe Rodon has made the centre-half position his over the last few years and I think they can really strike up a partnership moving forward now for Wales."

Lawlor returns to club duty as Cardiff continue their push for automatic League One promotion against Peterborough United on Monday, 6 April. Brian Barry-Murphy's side go into the Easter weekend seven points adrift of leaders Lincoln City - but 11 clear of third-place Bolton Wanderers.

Vokes told the Feast of Football podcast that being part of a promotion winning-side will be a positive for the Bluebirds' defender.

"Hopefully, I'm sure he will be part of a successful year in a promotion and that will only add to his confidence."

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Craig Bellamy has eased concerns over Dylan Lawlor's fitness after the Cardiff City centre-back was forced off during Wales' draw with Northern Ireland.

Lawlor was sent on as a half-time substitute at the Cardiff City Stadium only to be withdrawn in the final quarter of the game after a heavy challenge from Northern Ireland's George Saville.

Cardiff continue their League One promotion bid with a trip to Peterborough United on Monday – and Wales boss Bellamy is confident Lawlor will not be a fitness concern for Bluebirds counterpart Brian Barry-Murphy.

"He took a kick. He wanted to stay on and I am like 'no, you have got a run-in coming up that you need to be part of'," Bellamy said.

"I am sure he will be fine. It was more of a kick than anything else."

Bellamy said there was no way he would take a risk over Lawlor's fitness having sent on Ethan Ampadu as his replacement.

"Why would I take the chance?" Bellamy added.

"I would love him to be part of a promotion team, what that will do for his development will be incredible for him and the club he is at as well."

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Craig Bellamy has praised Cardiff City centre-back Dylan Lawlor for his "outstanding" performance in Wales' World Cup play-off semi-final defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Wales lost in a penalty shootout on Thursday, having drawn 1-1 after extra time at Cardiff City Stadium.

Lawlor, 20, was up against a player twice his age in the form of Bosnia's captain and goalscorer, 40-year-old former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko, who is 6ft 4in, was one of several physically imposing forwards Bosnia had on the pitch as they chased an equaliser late in normal time.

But Lawlor stood his ground impressively, further enhancing his burgeoning reputation in only his fourth appearance for Wales.

"I liked how robust he was and how he could stand up to a challenge, which is always difficult for young players coming in," said Wales head coach Bellamy.

"I liked how he used his body, how he was able to step onto things. We know his ability with the ball, it's clear for everyone to see.

"Give him the ball and he can develop and commit the game but, off the ball and in duels, I thought he was really exceptional against some really big, physical players. He was outstanding."

Wales' defeat means they miss out on a play-off final against Italy and will instead host Northern Ireland in a friendly on Tuesday night.

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Cardiff City legend Nathan Blake believes the Bluebirds are "too good" to fall in to the League One play-offs, but has warned against complacency.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side drew 0-0 at home to Blackpool on Saturday, but are still in the automatic promotion places with seven games remaining.

Cardiff are seven points adrift of leaders Lincoln City but are still 11 clear of third-place Bolton Wanderers.

The Blackpool result was met with boos from some Cardiff City fans yet Blake still feels the club are well placed for promotion.

"Fans are well within their right to come and clear their frustrations of what they're seeing," said Blake.

"They just don't want to see Cardiff get caught and end up getting into the play-offs. I don't think that will happen, Cardiff are too good to fall in to that situation, but I would warn against Cardiff being complacent and make sure they start games at a higher tempo.

"A lot of fans I'm hearing are frustrated with the style of football, but I don't think that's necessarily the problem. The style of football is fine.

"Cardiff, at times, are not playing what they were playing earlier on in the season. They're not doing it at the same sort of tempo."

Image source, BBC Sport

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We asked Cardiff City fans for their views on the club's recent form and the end of season run-in.

The Bluebirds' latest League One result, a 0-0 draw with Blackpool, was met with boos by some fans at the Cardiff City Stadium.

With seven games to go of the regular season, will Brian Barry-Murphy's side still maintain their place in the automatic promotion places?

Here are some of the responses we received:

Alun: Their recent home form is worrying, if I said it wasn't I'd be lying. When you see Lincoln's incredible form, despite the pressure, it intensifies those concerns. However, I love this CCFC team and I have faith that, together with our fantastic head coach, we will cross the line for automatic promotion.

Stuart: Can not believe the boos at full time. Was it a great performance? No, but Blackpool came to do a job, and did it well. This City team has given us more joy in the last eight months than we have had in six years. Yes, we've had a bit of blip, but it's such a young side we were always going to at some point. Last time I checked, we're eleven points clear of third, with seven games to go.

Delwyn: If the thinking is that the gap between us and Lincoln is too big, then we have to think the gap between us and Bolton is also.

Tom: You'd not have heard a boo from me at the end - BBM and his team have done us proud this season. I have every confidence we'll get the job done in April. Already looking forward to the trip to the Posh.

Ian: You cannot pass the ball into the net. Feed the runners. Cross the ball don't stop on the wing then go backwards, it's the forwards job to be on the end of the cross. Apart from that I think this group of players could easily win two promotions. That's it. Everything off my chest.

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Cardiff City's bid to win automatic promotion back to the Championship suffered another setback at the weekend as they were held to a goaless draw at home to Blackpool.

The Bluebirds remain second in League One, but are now seven points adrift of leaders Lincoln City.

They also missed the opportunity to put more daylight between themselves and Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City who also tasted defeat.

With seven games to go of the regular season, is Cardiff's latest run of form giving you cause for concern, or do you still think they have enough quality to finish in the top two?

Let us know your views by clicking here.

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Brian Barry-Murphy says some of his players will turn to supporting their team-mates when Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup qualifying semi-final play-off on Thursday at Cardiff City Stadium (19:45 GMT).

Former Bluebird Craig Bellamy's squad includes Cardiff defenders Dylan Lawlor, and Ronan Kpakio along with midfield brothers Rubin and Joel Colwill.

"A lot of lads will attend the game on Thursday. It's a big game for all of us, in so many ways, because so many of our players are hopefully going to be involved," said Cardiff boss Barry-Murphy.

If Wales win that, they will face either Italy or Northern Ireland on Tuesday, 31 March at the same venue.

Beyond the international break, Cardiff resume their seven-game League One promotion challenge run-in at Peterborough on Monday, 6 April before hosting Bolton Wanderers the following Saturday.

In the meantime, striker Yousef Salech, whose absence has coincided with a dip in Cardiff's success in front of goal, will progress his recovery from a neck injury suffered on 24 January as he begins a return to training.

Barry-Murphy is also set to welcome Isaak Davies back during the international break after the Wales forward was concussed in Cardiff's 3-0 win at Rotherham United on 7 February.

Barry-Murphy said: "We are just going to just continue to train as normal... and start to prepare for the next fixtures."