Birmingham City head coach Chris Davies has been assessing his squad following the closure of the transfer window as they prepare to travel to Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST).<\/b><\/p>\n
Blues’ signings included experienced defender Jack Robinson from Sheffield United and Sunderland loanee Patrick Roberts.<\/p>\n
Roberts impressed most recently during Sunderland’s Championship play-off final with Sheffield United, when he assisted the Black Cats equalising goal.<\/p>\n
“[Roberts is] someone with that creativity and craft and invention. We haven’t got too many like him so I was really pleased we could get him in,” Davies told BBC Radio WM.<\/p>\n
“He knows he’s got to earn his place there and he’s backing himself to do that.<\/p>\n
“We have a squad now that have to fight and earn their position in their team.”<\/p>\n
Davies also provided an encouraging update on the fitness of striker Jay Stansfield after he picked up a knock during the EFL Cup game against Port Vale.<\/p>\n
“Step-by-step [Stansfield]’s getting there and we’ll see how he goes in the next few days. He’s close,” Davies added.<\/p>\n
The trip to Stoke will be Blues’ first game back after the international break. Stoke have picked up nine points form their opening four games and are third in the Championship so Davies is expecting a challenging fixture.<\/p>\n
“[Stoke are an] industrious team, [they] work hard. Obviously Mark Robins is an excellent manager so I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. They’ve obviously made a super start to the season as well,” he added.<\/p>\n