Tony Mowbray faces his first major selection headache as Birmingham City manager ahead of Saturday's crucial Championship encounter with Millwall at St Andrew's. The Blues boss must navigate multiple injury concerns while seeking to build momentum after their recent victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Injury Crisis Deepens for Blues
The treatment room at Birmingham's training ground remains crowded, with several key players facing late fitness tests. Captain Dion Sanderson's absence due to a head injury sustained against Blackburn represents a significant blow to the defensive unit.
Equally concerning is the continued unavailability of midfield stalwart Krystian Bielik, whose presence in the engine room has been sorely missed. The Polish international's combative style and distribution skills leave a substantial void in Mowbray's preferred system.
Defensive Reshuffle Expected
With Sanderson ruled out, Emanuel Aiwu appears the natural replacement to slot into central defence alongside Lee Buchanan. The Austrian defender will need to quickly establish understanding with his defensive partner against a physical Millwall attack.
In midfield, the absence of Bielik likely means a recall for Ivan Šunjić, whose tenacity and work rate could prove vital in breaking up Millwall's attacking movements. The Croatian's experience in Championship battles makes him a logical choice for this gritty fixture.
Attacking Options Provide Silver Lining
Despite defensive concerns, Birmingham's attacking department offers reasons for optimism. The exciting partnership between Jordan James and Juninho Bacuna continues to develop, with both players showing improved understanding in recent outings.
Up front, Jay Stansfield's relentless pressing and intelligent movement should see him lead the line once more. The Fulham loanee's ability to create chances from limited opportunities could prove decisive against a well-organised Millwall defence.
Predicted Starting Formation
Mowbray is expected to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, despite the injury setbacks:
- Goalkeeper: John Ruddy
- Defence: Cody Drameh, Emanuel Aiwu, Lee Buchanan, Emmanuel Longelo
- Midfield: Ivan Šunjić, Jordan James
- Attack: Koji Miyoshi, Juninho Bacuna, Siriki Dembélé
- Striker: Jay Stansfield
Millwall Threat Assessment
The Lions arrive at St Andrew's under new management, with Neil Harris returning to the dugout following Joe Edwards' departure. This managerial change often provides an immediate boost to teams, making Millwall potentially more dangerous than their league position suggests.
Birmingham will need to be particularly wary of set-piece situations, where Millwall's physical approach has yielded numerous goals this season. The aerial battle could prove decisive in what promises to be a closely contested Championship affair.
With both teams desperate for points at this stage of the campaign, Saturday's encounter has all the ingredients for a classic Championship battle – full of intensity, physical challenges, and moments of quality that could separate the sides.
