The Bluebirds boss insists he is not losing sleep over the issue but conceded the uncertainty is likely to push any potential business later into the January transfer window as his side prepare for a pivotal League Two clash away at Bradford City on Saturday.
Barry-Murphy has revealed he is still in the dark over the timescale of the embargo - imposed on the club for the late sumbission of annual accounts – and which first came to his attention on the morning of last weekend’s match at Leyton Orient.
While he insisted it has not distracted him from on-field matters, Barry-Murphy acknowledged it has complicated squad planning at a crucial stage of the season.
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“I don't know,” he said when asked directly if he had any idea when the embargo might be resolved.
“My first notice of it was on Saturday morning and it takes up no time in my mind whatsoever. I'm sure it will be sorted whenever it's sorted.”
The lack of certainty is particularly pressing given Cardiff’s immediate need to strengthen in key areas.
Barry-Murphy has highlighted the need for an additional goalkeeper, explaining the club’s operational restrictions mean they must carry three senior keepers at all times and cannot rely on emergency loans.
Recent fitness concerns have underlined that risk.
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“When I first came in, we ended up having four goalkeepers with Nathan Trott, Jak Alnwick, Ethan Horvath and Matt Turner,” he said.
“Now we have two with Nathan and Matt.
“There was a time after the Exeter game when Matt played and was struggling with his knee and we had nobody. Our younger goalkeepers are not ready.
“We are slightly different in terms of the restrictions. We cannot recruit emergency goalkeepers if something happens, so we always have to have three goalkeepers in the building.”
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Left-back is another area of concern for Cardiff, with Joel Bagan currently the only recognised option.
Barry-Murphy said the club is “really focused on strengthening” that position, but again stressed he has no idea when he will be able to act.
Despite those off-field frustrations, the Cardiff boss was keen to keep the focus firmly on Saturday’s trip to Valley Parade, where his side face third-placed Bradford in a meeting of promotion contenders.
Cardiff currently sit top of League Two and Barry-Murphy dismissed any temptation to look beyond the weekend, even with another major fixture at Stockport to follow.
Saturday’s match also carries an added edge after Bradford stunned Cardiff – winning 3-1 in the Welsh capital earlier in the season, a result Barry-Murphy referenced repeatedly as a benchmark for progress.
He was clear, however, that motivation is rooted in improvement rather than revenge.
“We weren't good enough in the game against Bradford in the corresponding fixture,” he said.
“And now we have to go and see if we've improved in this game.”
Ollie Tanner made a welcome return from injury, sooner than expected last weekend and Barry-Murphy praised both his attitude and performance.
Rubin Colwilll is making “great steps” towards fitness after his hamstring injury, which the manager believes could be a timely boost.
There are doubts this weekend also over Omari Kellyman, Calum Chambers and Ronan Kpakio.
The Bradford match comes with Barry-Murphy and his club boosted by his nomination for the League Two manager of the month award.
His response was to pass the praise onto his players, particularly for their efforts during a gruelling December run that saw four games played in 10 days.
“I found out and I'm very grateful for the players,” he said.
“They gave a huge sacrifice over the Christmas period in particular - all the players played so well that it's probably been noticeable on the outside.”
