Birmingham City set to be without six players against Middlesbrough

Ahead of Wayne Rooney’s debut as Birmingham City’s manager against Middlesbrough this Saturday, the team faces several injury concerns. The Blues, currently in sixth place, are preparing to take on Boro in Rooney’s first game since replacing John Eustace.

Unfortunately, it appears that six key players are likely to remain sidelined for this upcoming match, as they have missed the team’s last three games. However, there is some positive news regarding Ethan Laird, who could be nearing a return to action. Rooney provided an update, stating, “The only one who is really close to coming back is Ethan Laird. He was on the pitch yesterday and is pushing to maybe be back in the next week. That will be great for us because he’s a fantastic player.”

Here’s a brief summary of the injured players:

1. Lee Buchanan: Suffered an ankle injury on September 25 and has been a vital part of the team’s defense since joining from Werder Bremen.

2. Keshi Anderson: Dealing with a hamstring injury sustained on September 22. Anderson has been plagued by injuries, having only made nine appearances in the Championship last season.

3. George Hall: Hall picked up a hamstring injury on August 29, which was his first start in over four months. He was featured in the Carabao Cup match against Cardiff City.

4. Ethan Laird: He sustained a hamstring injury on August 19 and has been out of action since then. His return is imminent, which is seen as a positive development for the team.

5. Tyler Roberts: Roberts suffered a calf injury on August 11 and has been sidelined since then. He was expected to start against his former club, Leeds United, but his return has been delayed due to setbacks.

6. Alfie Chang: Chang is dealing with a serious knee injury (ACL) sustained on August 22. He had become a regular presence in Blues’ matchday squad before his injury, and he underwent surgery for the ACL injury.

These injuries pose a challenge for Birmingham City as they face Middlesbrough under their new manager, Wayne Rooney, who will be hoping for a positive start to his tenure.