Brian Barry-Murphy emphasizes the need for Cardiff City to manage their fit defenders as they prepare to host Norwich City in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT.

The Bluebirds are currently grappling with an early-season injury crisis in their defense, as Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers, Will Fish, and Gabriel Osho are all sidelined.

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Due to the absence of these four seasoned central defenders, Barry-Murphy had to deploy right-back Perry Ng and left-back Joel Bagan as central defenders during their match against Derby County last Saturday, with Ronan Kpakio and Calum Scanlon filling the full-back positions.

Notably, Cardiff’s only defensive substitute available at Pride Park was 15-year-old Noah Anyadike, who may be considered for his debut match against Norwich.

In light of these challenges, Barry-Murphy might also turn to Cardiff’s under-21 squad for additional support as he aims to safeguard his frontline players ahead of next weekend’s Championship fixture against Sheffield United.

“We treat every game with the intention of winning, and that won’t change,” stated the Cardiff head coach.

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“Regarding Tuesday’s match, the players who have participated in all the training and playing – the back four we used [at Derby] are the only ones currently doing all the training and games at the club – we must be cautious not to exert them too much too soon in the season.”

After returning for a second loan spell from Liverpool, Scanlon (pictured above) completed 80 minutes in Cardiff’s draw with Wrexham on Monday and played the full match at Derby.

“[It was] Calum’s first 90 minutes in two-and-a-half years, so we need to be cautious about overloading players like him again,” added Barry-Murphy.

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“However, our options are quite limited at this time.”

Jack Moylan sustained a dead leg at Derby, but Cardiff remains optimistic he will avoid an extended absence.

Joel Colwill, David Turnbull, Isaak Davies, and Callum Robinson are among those who could be considered for a starting position against Norwich after beginning on the bench during the match against Derby.

Barry-Murphy deployed a lineup resembling his first-choice squad in the opening round of the EFL Cup, where Yousef Salech found the net twice in a 3-2 victory over Swindon Town earlier this month.

Last season, Cardiff advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament, marking their best performance since being defeated by Liverpool in the final in 2012.

Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City must look after their fit defenders when they host Norwich City in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday (19:00 GMT).

The Bluebirds are in the midst of an early-season injury crisis at the back, with Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers, Will Fish and Gabriel Osho on the sidelines.

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The absence of the four senior central defenders meant Barry-Murphy was forced to play right-back Perry Ng and left-back Joel Bagan in central defence at Derby County last Saturday, with Ronan Kpakio and Calum Scanlon the starting full-backs.

Cardiff’s only defensive option on the bench at Pride Park was 15-year-old Noah Anyadike, who could come into contention for a debut against Norwich.

Barry-Murphy may then look to Cardiff’s under-21 squad for further back-up players as he attempts to protect his frontline options before next weekend’s Championship meeting with Sheffield United.

“We treat every game with the intention of winning and that won’t change,” said the Cardiff head coach.

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“With regard to Tuesday, with the players who have been doing all the training and all the playing – the back four we played [at Derby] are the only ones we have doing all the training and all the playing at the club – we have to be mindful of not pushing too far, too soon in the season.”

Having returned for a second loan spell from Liverpool, Scanlon (pictured above) played 80 minutes in Cardiff’s draw with Wrexham last Monday and then managed the full game at Derby.

“[It was] Calum’s first 90 minutes in two-and-a-half years so we have to be careful of exposing players like that again,” Barry-Murphy added.

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“But we haven’t got many options at the moment.”

Jack Moylan suffered a dead leg at Derby, but Cardiff are optimistic he will not face a lay-off.

Joel Colwill, David Turnbull, Isaak Davies and Callum Robinson are among those who could come into contention for a start against Norwich having begun on the bench against the Rams.

Barry-Murphy fielded something close to a first-choice side in round one of the EFL Cup, when Yousef Salech scored twice in a 3-2 victory over Swindon Town earlier this month.

Cardiff reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season, their best run since they were beaten in the final by Liverpool in 2012.