Cardiff City Welcomes Back Dylan Lawlor for Championship Clash
Cardiff City have been waiting for a spark. It might just walk back into their defence on Saturday lunchtime.
Wales centre-back Dylan Lawlor is fit again and in contention for his first appearance of the 2026-27 Championship season when Charlton Athletic visit the Cardiff City Stadium (12:30 BST).
The 20-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury and has not kicked a ball in this campaign, but his head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says the wait is over.
“Dylan will definitely be available, he's good to go,” Barry-Murphy confirmed, a clear lift for a side still hunting their first league win after four draws and three defeats.
Lawlor back, Fish held back
Lawlor returned to full training this week alongside fellow centre-back Will Fish, but only one of them is likely to be seen in action against the Addicks.
“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 lay-off has already cost him at international level. After making 43 appearances for club and country in 2025-26, he was omitted from Wales’ Nations League squad on Tuesday because of the same knee problem that has stalled his start to the season.
His rise under Barry-Murphy was one of the stories of Cardiff’s League One campaign, the young defender forcing his way into the side and staying there. Now the manager must decide how big a role he plays straight away.
“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.”
Relief at the back
Cardiff’s defensive options have been stretched thin. Injuries have forced Barry-Murphy into repeated reshuffles, with full-backs Perry Ng and Joel Bagan pressed into service in central roles in recent weeks.
The club moved to bring in Krystian Bielik from West Bromwich Albion, while Gabriel Osho has also missed games with his own fitness problems. Against that backdrop, the sight of Lawlor and Fish back on the grass has changed the mood around the training ground.
“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,” Barry-Murphy 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.”
The temptation to throw Lawlor straight in will be strong. So will the need to manage his minutes in a campaign that already feels like it needs a reset.
Attacking options still thin
While one key Welsh international returns, others remain stuck on the treatment table.
Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies are still out, though both are edging closer to a comeback. Colwill is working his way back from an ankle injury, Davies from a hamstring problem, and Barry-Murphy expects to see them back in full training soon.
“We expect them to train in the middle of the international break, Rubin and Isaak,” he said.
Defender Calum Chambers faces a longer wait. He continues to struggle with knee, neck and back issues and is undergoing further assessment.
“Calum Chambers is having a further scan on his injury this afternoon, so we'll know more on the timescale,” Barry-Murphy added.
Cardiff’s season has started with frustration and makeshift solutions. Against Charlton, with Lawlor back in the heart of their defence, they finally have the chance to look a little more like themselves.
