Cardiff City’s 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Cheltenham Town was marred by the news that midfielder Eli King will be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.
The 22-year-old, who returned to the Bluebirds this summer following a loan at Stevenage, had been told he would make his first start of the campaign in Tuesday’s tie.
But in training on the eve of the game, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
It puts even more stress on Cardiff’s efforts to bring in new players with former Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho believed to be close to a permanent move from Auxerre.
“Eli suffered a very serious injury in training and will have surgery in the next two weeks. In sporting perspective, this is the cruellest blow,” said Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy.
“I hadn’t given him a chance but told him on Saturday that he would start against Cheltenham because of how well he has done in training.
“We believe in him becoming a lead No 6 for this club, but now we will just have to put it back for a period of about nine months.”
The setback overshadowed what was otherwise a comfortable passage into the third round – only the second time in 11 seasons that Cardiff have reached that stage of the competition.
The win also stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches since relegation from the Championship.
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Isaak Davies opened the scoring after intercepting a Cheltenham corner and racing 70 metres before coolly finishing into the corner.
Davies then turned provider, swinging in the delivery for Calum Chambers to double the lead with a thumping header on 32 minutes.
Chambers almost turned villain before the break when he conceded a penalty, but goalkeeper Matt Turner denied Lee Angol from the spot and the striker blazed the rebound wide.
Angol missed again when clean through moments later.
The game was settled early in the second half when Rubin Colwill teed up his younger brother Joel for the third goal, sealing a comprehensive win.
While Cardiff celebrated, the pressure mounted further on Robins boss Michael Flynn after his side slumped to a sixth defeat in seven outings. They have now shipped 14 goals and scored just once.
“We defended poorly but we created some really good chances. We picked up more injuries and we are now scraping the barrel,” admitted Flynn, who was jeered with chants of “we want Flynn out” from the away section.
“We’re hoping to get some re-enforcements in this week, but it’s tough at the moment with all the injuries and the results.
“We’re in a sticky patch and I can hear the fans, although I don’t think it is conducive. I know I can turn it around once I get in some re-enforcements.”
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For Cardiff, attention is now turning to strengthening their own squad, with centre-back Gabriel Osho believed to be close to a permanent move from Auxerre.
Barry-Murphy, however, was cautious when asked about the deal.
“I think there will be some [outgoings and incomings], but it’s impossible for me to say,” he said.
“We have people in mind that remain consistent and constant. Our priority is to got those people in and if we don’t then work back from there.”
Pressed specifically on Osho, whom he previously managed at Rochdale, he added: “No, he is a player I know well because I’ve worked with him before. But as of this moment, I can’t say anything.”
Cardiff’s progress in the competition offers momentum, but the loss of King – a player earmarked for a bigger role this season – leaves a cloud hanging over their campaign.
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