Birmingham City must swiftly forget their midweek defeat at Preston North End when they welcome QPR at St Andrews on Friday night, and there is some good team news.
Blues were defeated 2-1 by league leaders, with Krystian Bielik scoring an own goal. Meanwhile, Lyndon Dykes scored a stoppage-time equalizer for the Hoops against Swansea City at Loftus Road.
The following is the most recent lineup and injury news before of Birmingham City’s EFL Championship match against QPR.
After serving their bans, Lee Buchanan and Lukas Jutkiewicz will be eligible for selection on Friday. Buchanan was suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards against Watford, while Jutkiewicz was suspended for three games after an incident against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.
Buchanan had started all six Blues matches before to his suspension, and Emmanuel Longelo took his place, but the 22-year-old should return to the starting lineup. This season, Scott Hogan has been the chosen attacker up front, but Jutkiewicz gives John Eustace another alternative.
Ethan Laird (hamstring) and Tyler Roberts (calf), who have both had setbacks, will not be returning. Both were classified as ‘touch and go’ for last weekend’s trip to Vicarage Road, but are now a ‘few of weeks’ away and will not be risked given their injury history.
Siriki Dembele, on the other hand, is nearing a return and trained on Monday ahead of the trip to Preston. He injured his hamstring against Bristol City, but he will be given every chance to play on Friday.
George Hall (hamstring), a recent Academy graduate who signed a new contract, is now unavailable and is expected to return in October. Alfie Chang (knee) is the Blues’ long-term absentee after injuring his knee in training, and the magnitude of his ACL problem will certainly keep him out for the rest of the season.
Alfie Chang, Ethan Laird, George Hall, and Tyler Roberts are out. Siriki Dembele is doubtful.