Cardiff City hope Krystian Bielik can ease their defensive injury crisis by returning for Saturday's Championship match at home to Burnley.

Bielik, who can play in defence or midfield, has missed Cardiff's past three matches, forming part of a lengthy list of absentees.

The Bluebirds have been particularly badly hit at centre-back, with Dylan Lawlor, Gabriel Osho, Calum Chambers and Bielik all unavailable for Wednesday's 3-3 draw with West Ham.

That meant left-back Joel Bagan had to shift into central defence once again, while right-back Perry Ng – a fitness doubt before the game – was forced off during the second half.

"We'll have to look into Burnley and see what has or hasn't changed and draw up the best plan we can from the players available for Saturday, give it everything we've got," said Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"Hopefully Krystian Bielik may be back for Saturday. That will be a big boost for us all.

"Perry's obviously a doubt having to come off and Calum Scanlon's just [feeling] some stiffness so he should be fine, and we'll check on Alex Robertson again."

The Championship will be paused for an international break after this weekend, with Cardiff next in action away to Norwich on Saturday, 21 November.

"The international break will help us with our recovery of the other players," Barry-Murphy added.

"But it probably won't mean that we'll have them back when we come back, but closer to being back."