Cardiff midfielder King out for season with knee injury

Midfielder Eli King made two appearances off the bench for Cardiff this season

Cardiff City midfielder Eli King has been ruled out for the rest of the 2025-26 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training.

Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed the 22-year-old will miss the next nine months with injury and will require surgery.

King had not made a start for Cardiff so far this season, and Barry-Murphy says he would have been given his chance in Tuesday's EFL Cup win over Cheltenham Town.

"It's a cruel blow because of how well he was doing, and I hadn't given him his chance to play yet," said Barry-Murphy.

"I was very clear after Saturday to tell him he was going to get the chance to show what he could do tonight [against Cheltenham].

"Eli would have played and we believe in him totally to be an elite number six for this club."

King came through the academy at Cardiff City and has spent previous seasons on loan at Morecambe, Ross County and more recently Stevenage.

Under Barry-Murphy, King looked set to be given more playing time, with the new Bluebirds head coach keen to give youngsters a chance.

In King's absence, 18-year-old Dakarai Mafico impressed on his second senior start for the club, as Cardiff cruised past Cheltenham with a 3-0 win.

Speaking after the Bluebirds booked their place in the third round of the Cup, Barry-Murphy said King will be fully supported by the club through his recovery.

"Eli will now see a specialist and have surgery in the next 10 days to two weeks," confirmed Barry-Murphy.

"That injury requires nine months to come back so we're looking at pre-season for him next year.

"Every part of his recovery will be supported by us and we will make sure when he comes back he's stronger than when he got injured."