Cardiff City Boosted by Dylan Lawlor's Return for Championship Clash
Cardiff City have been handed a badly needed lift in their search for a first Championship win of the season, with Wales defender Dylan Lawlor cleared to return against Charlton Athletic.
The 20-year-old, sidelined since the summer with a knee injury, is back in contention for the Bluebirds’ home game against the Addicks on Saturday (12:30 BST) and is expected to be involved.
“Dylan will definitely be available, he's good to go,” confirmed head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, who has watched his side draw four and lose three of their opening seven league fixtures.
Lawlor resumed full training this week alongside fellow centre-back Will Fish. The timing is welcome, the risk is not. Fish has only just come back from hernia surgery and will be held back.
“Will Fish won't be available, he's probably another week behind so we're not going to take any chances, but Dylan's back fully fit,” Barry-Murphy said.
Lawlor’s absence has been felt. He made 43 appearances for club and country in 2025-26, emerging as a key figure in Barry-Murphy’s defence during their League One campaign. His injury meant he was omitted from Wales’ Nations League squad named on Tuesday, but at club level he is once again on the brink.
The manager now has a decision to make: throw Lawlor straight back into the starting XI or ease him in.
“He's trained really well. We'll see how he is today and tomorrow, then make a decision based on who we feel is best to start this game,” Barry-Murphy explained. “But he's fully fit, with no issues with his knee whatsoever, and he looks great.”
Cardiff have been patching things together at the back. Injuries have forced a reshuffle, even with the arrival of Krystian Bielik from West Bromwich Albion. Full-backs Perry Ng and Joel Bagan have both been pressed into service in central roles in recent weeks, a compromise solution rather than a long-term plan.
With Gabriel Osho also missing matches through injury, Barry-Murphy has been short of natural centre-backs. Lawlor’s return, and Fish’s looming comeback, finally gives him something he has lacked since August: genuine choice.
“They're two such outstanding players and to give us that extra depth to our squad that we've lacked in the earliest parts of the season is going to be really important,” he said. “I'm very pleased to get them back and will try to build them up gradually to make sure that they stay fit, and both players can be very important for us.”
Not everyone is close. Cardiff remain without Wales internationals Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, as well as defender Calum Chambers.
Chambers is dealing with knee, neck and back problems and faces further assessment. Colwill and Davies, though, are edging closer, working their way back from ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.
“We expect them to train in the middle of the international break, Rubin and Isaak,” Barry-Murphy revealed. “Calum Chambers is having a further scan on his injury this afternoon, so we'll know more on the timescale.”
Cardiff go into Saturday still waiting for that first league win. With Lawlor back in the heart of the squad and defensive reinforcements finally on the horizon, the question now is whether this is the week the season starts to turn.
