Birmingham City team news before the Championship meeting with Oxford United on Saturday, January 31 (3pm)
Demarai Gray of Birmingham City
Birmingham City head for Oxford United this weekend and their injury situation isn’t likely to change.
Chris Davies has been without some key players in the last month, including Alex Cochrane and Demarai Gray, and he doesn’t expect anyone back until next month.
Blues’ bench looked stronger last weekend, as they drew 1-1 with Stoke City, thanks to some new additions in the transfer window.
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Here is the latest Blues injury news…
Jack Robinson
Injury: Hamstring
Robinson tightened up in the second half of Blues’ FA Cup victory over Cambridge United and asked to be substituted.
The experienced defender stepped off the field and has missed Blues’ last three games as a result.
In his latest update, Davies said: “I would group Demarai, Jack and Ethan in terms of a timeline together. We’re still a good few weeks away from them actually training, then once they get training they need to build a little bit.
“They all have different injuries but I think they’ll be returning to training at a similar time, but we’re talking well into February.”
Alex Cochrane
Injury: Ankle
Cochrane was virtually ever-present in his first season at Blues but he has had niggles to contend with this season. The left-back has been absent since the New Year’s Day defeat to Watford and isn’t likely to play again until April.
Davies said: “With Alex, my understanding is that the last month of the season is when we can think of him.”
Demarai Gray
Injury: Calf
Gray suffered a calf injury in Blues’ draw with Derby County on Boxing Day which has forced him to miss their last seven games.
The 29-year-old was in the midst of a purple patch but Blues aren’t expecting him back until next month.
“I still think we’re looking into February for Demarai,” said Davies. “I think the original estimation was six weeks, but he would be one that I think would get back in a quick timeframe.
“He’s a quick healer and not injured much, really professional, so he’ll do everything he can to reduce that time. But I think we are looking right into February for that one.”
Ethan Laird
Injury: Hamstring
Laird hasn’t featured since sustaining a hamstring injury in the defeat to Coventry on September 27.
Davies has suggested Laird is due to return to team training in February after a high grade hamstring injury.
“Ethan Laird is step by step moving forward, hopefully he can start training and being with everyone again in February.”
Lee Buchanan
Injury: Knee
Buchanan is now 12 months into his recovery and has recently started light training. The signing of Kai Wagner had solved Blues’ shortage at left-back but Cochrane’s injury means Buchanan might be needed in the second half of the season.
Davies said: “It’s been such a long injury that you’ve got to be cautious with that but we hope Lee can get up to speed. He would need a few under-21s games to build.”
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