Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has provided a crucial injury update ahead of this weekend's Championship fixture against Norwich City, confirming concerns for two key players. The Blues will be hoping to have Tomoki Iwata and Kyogo Furuhashi available as they prepare for their league encounter following a dramatic FA Cup exit.
Injury Concerns Confirmed After Leeds United FA Cup Tie
Both Iwata and Furuhashi were notably absent from Birmingham City's squad during Sunday's thrilling FA Cup fourth round match against Leeds United. The Championship side put up a valiant fight against their Premier League opponents, coming from behind to force extra time before ultimately losing 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Patrick Roberts scored a spectacular 89th-minute equalizer to cancel out Lukas Nmecha's earlier strike, showcasing Birmingham's resilience despite missing several key players. The absence of Iwata and Furuhashi was particularly felt as the match progressed into extra time, with players tiring and substitutions potentially making a difference.
Chris Davies Provides Detailed Injury Assessment
When questioned about the missing players after the Leeds United match, Davies offered reassurance to concerned supporters while confirming the injury issues. "Both injury issues but not big ones. I'm pretty sure they are both minor ones," the Birmingham City boss explained.
Regarding Iwata specifically, Davies provided additional context: "He's got a couple of things. He's been playing more minutes than anyone else and naturally he's taken a bit of a break but we're confident that he's feeling better day by day so I'm hoping he'll be okay moving forward."
This wasn't the first match where Iwata's fitness has been in question. The Japanese midfielder was also benched for Birmingham's recent 0-0 Championship draw against West Bromwich Albion, marking the first time all season he hasn't started a league fixture.
Kyogo Furuhashi's Struggling Season
Meanwhile, fellow Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi has experienced a challenging campaign since his high-profile arrival from Rennes last winter. The former Celtic attacker has managed just one goal in 26 Championship appearances this season, frequently finding himself among the substitutes as he struggles to meet expectations following his significant transfer.
Davies' confirmation that both players are dealing with minor injuries provides context for their recent absences while offering hope that they might be available for selection against Norwich City this weekend. Birmingham City will be eager to return to winning ways in the Championship after their cup disappointment.
The injury updates come at a crucial time for Birmingham City as they continue their push in the Championship table. Supporters will be monitoring the fitness of both Iwata and Furuhashi closely in the coming days, with Davies expressing optimism about their recovery progress ahead of the Norwich City encounter.
