This evening, Birmingham City will play Middlesbrough without their two first-choice center backs. Dion Sanderson, the captain, is serving the last of his three-match suspension; Krystian Bielik will not play until after the international break.
Sanderson is available for Saturday’s match against Watford, but Mark Venus, the temporary Blues manager, will have to settle for the defenders available to him when Boro visits St Andrew’s (7.45pm kickoff). After being sidelined for three straight Championship games, Marc Roberts made his comeback from a calf injury to join Emanuel Aiwu in the 1-0 loss at Millwall.
Due to a torn stomach muscle, Bielik has missed the Blues’ last four games and is unlikely to play again until after the international break. Last week, Venus provided an update on Bielik, saying, “Krystian is injured until after the internationals.” We evaluate him again following the internationals.”
Apart from Sanderson and Bielik, midfielder Alfie Chang will also be absent for the Blues. Chang is still recovering at the Blues’ practice facility after sustaining a significant knee injury during a training session in August. Chang has not appeared in a game since.
Here is the latest team news before Blues take on Boro…
Krystian Bielik
Injury: Stomach
Bielik returned from a groin injury on the eve of the Southampton match only to tear a muscle in his stomach in training. Venus has ruled him out until after the international break.
Possible return: QPR (a), March 29
Alfie Chang
Injury: Knee
Chang is anticipated to miss the entire season after suffering a severe ACL injury during a training session in August. In an effort to increase his fitness, the 21-year-old, who has since inked a new three-year contract, has been working out in the gym with the Blues’ physiotherapists and taking up cycling.
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