Birmingham City Await Crucial Paik Seung-ho Injury Decision
Birmingham City are poised to receive a significant update on midfielder Paik Seung-ho's shoulder injury this week, as the player consults with a specialist to determine the best course of action. The outcome could have major implications for both the club's Championship play-off ambitions and Paik's hopes of representing South Korea at the upcoming World Cup.
Paik's Shoulder Woes Resurface
Paik, 28, re-injured his shoulder during a match against West Bromwich Albion last week, forcing him to miss Birmingham's FA Cup defeat to Leeds United on Sunday. This setback comes after he first dislocated the shoulder in November against Middlesbrough, but managed to play 17 games without issue over a three-month period following initial treatment.
The concern now is whether surgery will be required, which would sideline the midfielder for an extended period. With Birmingham chasing a play-off spot in the Championship and 14 crucial games remaining in the run-in, Paik's availability is vital. Additionally, the summer World Cup means there is no traditional post-season break for recovery if an operation is necessary.
Manager Provides Insight on Paik's Condition
Blues manager Davies commented on the situation, stating, "It's the shoulder again so he's getting more definitive information from a specialist next week but day by day it feels a little bit better. It's obviously a significant injury so he's going to see a specialist, so we'll see where we go from there."
Positive News on the Injury Front
While Paik's status remains uncertain, Birmingham City are set to receive a boost from the return of defender Ethan Laird. The popular full-back has resumed training after being sidelined since late September with a hamstring injury.
Davies expressed enthusiasm about Laird's comeback, saying, "Ethan has taken his first steps into training. It's great to see him back. He's got a fantastic energy and demeanour about him when he's with the team. He's been a very important player for me in my time here. To have him back training boosts us."
Other Injury Updates for Birmingham
The club's injury situation includes several other key players:
- Jack Robinson (hamstring): Tightened up during the FA Cup victory over Cambridge United in January and is expected to return to training imminently.
- Alex Cochrane (ankle): Has been absent since New Year's Day and is not likely to feature until April, with Davies noting the left-back may return for the final month of the season.
- Lee Buchanan (knee): Now almost 14 months into recovery, has recently returned to team training but requires cautious management. Davies emphasized the need for steady progress, saying, "It's early steps. With Lee, it's about trying to string it together for a consistent period of time."
With the Championship run-in intensifying, Birmingham City will be hoping for positive news on Paik Seung-ho while welcoming back defensive reinforcements to bolster their play-off push.
