Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy is cautiously optimistic that striker Yousef Salech has avoided serious damage to his shoulder, after the 24-year-old was forced off during Saturday's 3-1 Championship win over Charlton Athletic.

Salech had given Cardiff supporters plenty to cheer, netting the Bluebirds' second goal of the afternoon to return to scoring form. The afternoon soured towards its close, however, when Salech landed awkwardly following an attempted header in the Charlton box. He left the field in evident discomfort, his arm in a sling and his hand clutching at the shoulder, to considerable concern around Cardiff City Stadium.

Barry-Murphy, speaking after the final whistle, said those worries had eased once he had seen Salech in the dressing room. "He seems okay," the Cardiff boss said. "We were concerned he may have damaged his shoulder but after the game he looks relatively okay, he looks relatively comfortable in the changing room. I've seen him in the changing rooms and it doesn't look bad. So fingers crossed."

Previous injury history adds to concern

Supporters will remember that Salech lost a significant chunk of last season to a nerve injury affecting his neck and back, sustained in a match against Stockport. That absence understandably sharpened the anxiety among the Cardiff faithful on Saturday, but Barry-Murphy was at pains to point out the two injuries are unrelated.

"He had that injury last season with the nerve issue, but it's unrelated," he said. "That was in his neck and back, this is just a shoulder injury."

The distinction matters. A recurrence of a nerve complaint of that nature would carry far more serious long-term implications than a straightforward shoulder knock. On the evidence of Barry-Murphy's words, the club appears to be treating this as the latter, at least for now. No formal diagnosis has been confirmed.

Three weeks to recover before Blackburn trip

One element working in Cardiff's favour is the timing. The international break means the Bluebirds do not have another Championship fixture until 10 October, when they travel to Blackburn Rovers. That gives Salech approximately three weeks to recover, which Barry-Murphy will hope is sufficient time to get his striker back fit and available.

Given Cardiff's well-documented struggles in front of goal this season, losing Salech for any extended period would be a significant blow. The club has been searching for reliable output from its forward line for weeks, and Saturday's win will have felt all the more precious for that reason. Salech's goal was part of a convincing 3-1 result, a performance that at least suggested Cardiff can convert when the opportunities present themselves.

Whether Salech is available for Blackburn will depend on how his shoulder responds in the coming days. Barry-Murphy, characteristically, offered no firm timeline. The club will presumably have a clearer picture once proper medical assessment has taken place.

A boost, with a caveat

For a side that has found the early weeks of the Championship campaign hard-going, a first win of the season is a meaningful moment. The concern over Salech slightly blunts that, but the head coach's tone after the game was one of measured relief rather than alarm. Cardiff supporters will hope that assessment holds once the medical staff have had a closer look.

If Salech does come through the break unscathed, Cardiff head into October with something to build on. If not, Barry-Murphy will need to find goals from elsewhere when the Championship schedule resumes.

Frequently asked

How did Yousef Salech get injured against Charlton?
Salech injured his shoulder while attempting a header in the Charlton Athletic box late in Cardiff's 3-1 win on 19 September. He was substituted and left the field with his arm in a sling.
Is Salech's injury related to his previous nerve injury?
Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says no. Salech missed considerable time last season with a nerve injury to his neck and back, but Barry-Murphy confirmed this latest problem is a separate shoulder injury and unrelated to that earlier complaint.
When is Cardiff City's next Championship game after the international break?
Cardiff's next Championship fixture is away at Blackburn Rovers on 10 October, giving Salech approximately three weeks to recover from his shoulder problem.