BarryMurphy

Robertson’s absence has been a big talking point for Cardiff fans, who have been perplexed as to why a player who cost the club a seven-figure fee when he joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 has not been used.

He was in Australia’s squad for their friendly matches in the United States and Canada earlier this month, but did not feature in either game.

“I think it’s fine for the supporters to talk about him in whatever way they want,” said Barry-Murphy.

“Alex is somebody who I know really well from long before he was at this club [when Barry-Murphy coached Manchester City Under-21s], so all I want for all the players is to be at their best.

“My duty is then to get them into that condition where they can compete against each other. But I have to be very fair and consistent in the way that I judge all the squad once they reach that level.

“That’s the same for Alex as it is for everybody else. If he was in the shoes of the other players, he’d want the exact same thing.”

Meanwhile, centre-back Dylan Lawlor could be back for Saturday’s League One trip to Bolton Wanderers having missed last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Reading with a groin injury.

Fellow centre-back Will Fish is also managing a knee issue, which limited him to 45 minutes against the Royals last weekend.

“Will Fish has an ongoing knee issue which is getting better, particularly when he hits longer passes,” said Barry-Murphy.

“He’s had some discomfort in his knee. But the amount of discomfort is getting less and less, so he’s making good progress.

“Dylan has had a good week of training so far. I think it’s important that he can do certain things that we want from later on this afternoon [Thursday] when we train, and then hopefully he can be available for Saturday.”

Scott Parker’s team have beaten Derby County in this season’s Carabao Cup after entering at the second-round stage, while Cardiff have seen off Swindon and Cheltenham to set up the trip to Lancashire.

“I am really excited to go to a Premier League team in a competition where we have produced really good performances,” Barry-Murphy added.

“It’s a good test for our players. Burnley have a super-talented squad and to test ourselves in that stadium against them will be very good for us.”

Cardiff have fitness concerns over Ronan Kpakio, who came off during the Bradford loss with a foot problem, and Dylan Lawlor, who missed the Bantams’ visit with a groin injury.

“We have a group we really believe in,” Barry-Murphy said. “We will see who is OK and then pick a team.”

Wales captain Ramsey had taken temporary charge as Cardiff were relegated from the Championship last month, Omer Riza having been sacked with three games of the season remaining.

But while it is not clear if a final decision has been made, Barry-Murphy is now the frontrunner to land a first senior manager’s position since leaving Rochdale in 2021.

He would become the Bluebirds’ ninth manager in four years as they prepare to play in the third tier for the first time since 2003.

The Irishman has been on Cardiff’s radar for some time having been under consideration to replace Mick McCarthy in 2021.

Barry-Murphy is a former midfielder with Cork City, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Bury and Rochdale, becoming player-coach at the latter in 2014 at the age of 35.

He succeeded Keith Hill as manager in 2019, winning praise for the side’s style of play and work with homegrown talent despite the team’s relegation to League Two in 2021.

Barry-Murphy resigned from the job to take to take up the role at Manchester City’s academy, succeeding future Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and winning two youth titles, coaching the likes of Cole Palmer, Oscar Bobb and Romeo Lavia while working under Pep Guardiola.

After quitting the Etihad three years later, Barry-Murphy went on to be named as part of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s backroom staff at Leicester in December 2024.

But Barry-Murphy had been keen for a frontline role of his own and could now be handed the challenge of returning Cardiff to the Championship.

Buckingham, who guided Oxford to League One promotion in May 2024, has also held talks with Cardiff.

The 40-year-old is currently without a club having left the Kassam Stadium in December following a poor run of results.

Buckingham, who previously coached in New Zealand and managed City Football Group clubs Melbourne City and Mumbai City, had previously been under consideration by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) before the appointment of Craig Bellamy as national boss.