Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has confirmed that midfielders Max Bird and Taylor Gardner-Hickman are on track to rejoin first-team training after the international break, providing a boost to a squad currently stretched thin in the engine room.
Speaking at his pre-Wolves press conference on Friday, Davies revealed that Bird, who sustained a lower leg injury in training three weeks ago, is progressing well in his rehabilitation. Gardner-Hickman has been absent since the pre-season friendly at Burton Albion in mid-July.
Midfield numbers stretched thin
With only Jhon Solis, Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho currently available to Davies, the Blues have been light in midfield. The situation is not expected to change before the first international window of the season, leaving the manager with limited options for the next four games.
Davies has named both Bird and Gardner-Hickman in his 25-man squad for the first half of the season, indicating his confidence in their recovery. “Max Bird’s doing OK,” said the Blues manager. “He’s building up his rehab into more challenging things. The international break is the target we’ve got for him and Taylor Gardner-Hickman to rejoin the first team training group and to be available for selection after the international break.”
Gray managing shoulder knock
Meanwhile, winger Demarai Gray is managing a shoulder injury sustained in the win at Wrexham last week. Gray pushed through the pain to take a place on the bench on Tuesday and played the final 20 minutes against Southampton.
Davies added: “Dimmy did really well to become available after taking a heavy, heavy knock. We’re seeing how he gets through this week. It’s not something that’s going to suddenly be resolved in a matter of days but he’s certainly tried to put himself forward and go through an element of pain. It will get better in time but it’s step by step.”
The club will monitor Gray’s fitness closely over the coming days, while Bird and Gardner-Hickman’s returns after the international break should give Davies more midfield options for the remainder of the season.
