Birmingham City are dealing with a growing injury list as they prepare for their League One encounter against Northampton Town this weekend.
Six first-team players are either ruled out or facing late fitness tests, presenting a significant selection challenge for manager Chris Davies.
New Injury Concerns for Blues
Midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman and winger Emil Hansson have both been added to Birmingham’s injury list this week. Gardner-Hickman was absent for the 2-1 victory over Stevenage, while Hansson had to be substituted at half-time due to discomfort.
The Swedish winger, who has already missed large portions of the season with muscular issues, will be assessed before the trip to Northampton.
“There was a precaution on Emil because of his calf. It was a bit tight. He obviously made a lot of runs in that first half and he was getting a lot of the ball,” said Davies.
Gardner-Hickman, meanwhile, picked up a knock during the weekend’s win over Lincoln City and is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks.
Long-Term Absentees Add to Selection Woes
Three more key players remain unavailable for the foreseeable future. Ethan Laird suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Wycombe on March 1, forcing him off in the closing stages of the match. The right-back is not expected to return until after the international break.
Meanwhile, Scotland international Lyndon Dykes is also facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury against Reading. He is unlikely to recover in time for the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley on April 13.
“Hopefully we can see him before the end of this season. I would call it a medium-term injury, not a quick turnaround, but there’s definitely a route back for him to get back before the end of this season and contribute,” Davies added.
Buchanan and Wright Ruled Out for the Season
Defender Lee Buchanan and winger Scott Wright have both been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Buchanan sustained a serious knee injury in the draw with Blackpool, while Wright suffered a similar fate after his studs caught in the turf at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
“Lee’s injury is quite severe as everyone would have guessed. He will be out for a considerable amount of time, as you probably saw from the pictures, and he won’t be with us for this season absolutely,” Davies confirmed.
Writer’s View
Birmingham City’s injury problems could not have come at a worse time, with a crucial run of fixtures ahead. Losing key players like Hansson, Laird, and Dykes will test the squad’s depth, but the Blues have shown resilience this season. Davies will need to find solutions quickly if his side is to maintain their promotion push and remain competitive in multiple competitions.
