Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has spoken to the Birmingham Mail to give supporters an update on injuries to three key players.
The Blues have, as many expected, started the season positively after the disappointment of Championship relegation last term.
Until they visited The Valley to play Charlton Athletic last weekend, Davies’ men had lost just two points this season, from a home draw with Reading on the opening weekend of the season.
Their impressive start is being matched so far by Wrexham and Mansfield Town, who find themselves just two points behind following Birmingham’s first defeat of the season at the hands of Nathan Jones’ side.
Today’s scheduled hosting of bottom club Cambridge United has been postponed due to international call-ups but that hasn’t stopped the injury issues mounting for the manager.
Captain Krystian Bielik is expected to ‘miss a few weeks at the very least’ due to an ankle injury he sustained during the defeat in the capital.
After watching his team get back to winning ways with a thumping 4-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Davies offered news of his skipper.
“He got a bit of a nasty ankle knock at the weekend so he looks like he will be a few weeks at the very least.”
One of Birmingham’s best performers thus far has been Japanese midfielder Tomoki Iwata. The former Celtic man has two goals to his name and is vital in midfield for his passing and winning of duels.
During the victory at Shrewsbury, Iwata suffered an ankle injury that led to his withdrawal. However, Davies doesn’t seem too concerned with that one.
The boss said, “Tomoki got a knock on the ankle that he felt he couldn’t run off in the end. I’m not sure on the extent of it, I don’t think it looks too bad on first look, but we will see tomorrow.”
The third player to be concerning the Blues’ management team is goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who returned early from international duty with Northern Ireland.
The 48-cap international had been the first choice between the sticks since his arrival from Burnley in the summer but has since lost his place to fellow new signing Ryan Allsopp.
Davies has revealed that the goalkeeper is suffering from a shoulder injury, and has been since the 3-2 victory over Peterborough United.
The 39-year-old said, “He’s come back to us and we’re looking at it and assessing where he is.”
“He’s had this knock since the Peterborough game. He came out and got clattered in that game. They’ve looked at it and he needs more treatment so we will assess him in the next few days.”
Writer’s View
Birmingham City face a tough trip to high-flying Lincoln City next time out and the loss of Bielik and Iwata is a big blow.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Japanese midfielder make the game and, unlike so many in the division, City have a squad capable of covering the gap left by a player of Bielik’s quality.
Whilst Peacock-Farrell’s injury is a blow, Ryan Allsopp is a vastly experienced keeper who was brought in to challenge for the number-one spot and will be more than able cover.
