Cardiff City's transfer plans have shifted significantly as the club battles an emerging defensive injury crisis ahead of the Championship clash with Derby County.
Brian Barry-Murphy has consistently insisted the Bluebirds will not be rushed into making panic signings this summer, but WalesOnline understands the club are now actively targeting a centre-back before the transfer window closes on September 1.
With Will Fish ruled out for around three months following surgery, Dylan Lawlor yet to feature this summer because of a long-running injury issue and Calum Chambers struggling with a knee problem, Cardiff's options have been stretched to breaking point.
That situation has worsened again after Gabriel Osho hyper-extended his knee during Monday night's 1-1 draw with Wrexham, leaving Barry-Murphy desperately short of recognised central defenders heading into Saturday's trip to Pride Park.
Centre-Back Now Firmly on the Agenda
The injuries are only part of the reasoning behind Cardiff's latest thinking.
While the Bluebirds have looked exciting going forward under Barry-Murphy, they have also shown vulnerabilities defensively, both during the summer and stretching back to the closing weeks of last season. Shipping goals at the rate they have done is not considered sustainable in the Championship.
As a result, WalesOnline understands a centre-back has become a priority before deadline day.
A physical holding midfielder remains another key target, with the club keen to add greater protection in front of the back four.
That could have a knock-on effect elsewhere in the squad-building plans. Cardiff had hoped to land Chelsea youngster Omari Kellyman, who was capable of operating as both a winger and striker, but the England youth international is instead expected to join Strasbourg.
Missing out on Kellyman is viewed internally as a significant disappointment and, unless Cardiff can identify another player capable of filling both roles, a striker is now believed to be a higher priority than another wide player.
Barry-Murphy Clears Up Captaincy Confusion
Supporters were left wondering whether Cardiff had quietly appointed a new captain this week after the club published their updated player headshots.
Last season's vice-captain Rubin Colwill was pictured wearing the EFL captain's armband, while Calum Chambers was not. The photographs quickly sparked speculation on social media that Colwill had inherited the captaincy without any official announcement.
The club subsequently edited Colwill's image to remove the armband, although the change only fuelled further discussion among supporters.
Barry-Murphy, however, has now firmly put the rumours to bed. Asked by WalesOnline on Thursday morning to clarify the situation, the Cardiff boss confirmed Chambers remains the club captain, despite the experienced defender currently battling a knee problem.
Three Derby Players Set to Miss Out
Cardiff are not the only side dealing with fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's clash.
Derby boss John Eustace is already without defender Matt Clarke, who is expected to miss at least another two or three weeks after suffering a calf injury against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.
USA international striker Patrick Agyemang also remains a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in April, with a return not expected until around December or January.
Full-back Derry Murkin is another expected absentee after suffering a hamstring injury just as he was closing in on a return from back surgery. An update is expected from Eustace ahead of the game, but he is unlikely to feature against the Bluebirds.
Derby are also waiting to discover the extent of Sam Szmodics' thigh issue after the forward, who scored in last weekend's defeat to Charlton Athletic, was forced off during the second half.
Cardiff, meanwhile, have problems of their own. Fish and Lawlor remain unavailable, Osho is being assessed after hyper-extending his knee against Wrexham, while Chambers remains a doubt because of his knee complaint, leaving Barry-Murphy hoping to avoid any further setbacks before making the trip to Pride Park.
