Birmingham City are expected to have further depth in their midfield ranks, with the return of Alex Pritchard to the matchday squad this weekend.
Pritchard, who signed from Sunderland in January, has missed the Blues’ last three games through injury but is available for selection for their matchup with promotion-chasers Leicester City this weekend.
Birmingham will be looking to start to build a winning run to get them closer to safety, as the current position that they’re in is rather worrying. Sat in 20th, the West Midlands side are just two points above the relegation zone and have just one win from their last eight games.
Importantly, that win did come in their match with Preston North End on Easter Monday, where they did also keep a clean sheet. Interim boss Gary Rowett will be hoping that his side can carry some momentum from that but they do face a hard task away from home against a top side.
Leicester are currently locked in the middle of a three-way tussle for the title and know that if they win-out this season, then they’ll be crowned champions. It is highly unlikely that Enzo Maresca’s players will take the foot off of the gas at any point, and represent a very stern opposition.
Positivity can however be taken from their performance against Preston, and there is further positivity with the news that Alex Pritchard will be available for selection.
In an interview on the club’s official website, Rowett gave an update on the midfielder’s injury designation, as well as how he could be integrated into the matchday squad.
“He trained on Sunday, and we felt it was a little bit soon after one day to put him straight back in the squad. We have got a reasonably big squad at the moment and through no fault of anyone’s, we have got quite a lot of players in a similar area of the pitch.
“In terms of the bench, sometimes I have to make good decisions and it might mean leaving one or two out through no fault of their own but just because I don’t need these types of players.
“We have to find ways to make good decisions, but he is one, of course, with his experience and quality, there are going to be times when you want that player available to you. Certainly, he will be available for Leicester.”
Writer’s View
Things may have not quite gone to plan for Pritchard since signing from Sunderland in the January window and injuries have certainly hampered his playing time. There are however still six games this season and he’ll be hoping to repay the club’s faith in him and make an impact.
Experience will count for a lot in the run-in and that’s something the midfielder certainly has. He could well be the difference between Birmingham maintaining their second tier status, or being relegated to League One. On his day Pritchard is unplayable and fans will be hoping he returns at his best.
Leicester represent a tricky task and are easily the hardest of their six remaining fixtures. Going into it with a nothing to lose mind set could well help the players potentially pull off an upset this weekend.
