Birmingham City manager Chris Davies will be forced to navigate a significant injury crisis as his side prepares for tonight's FA Cup clash away at Cambridge United. The Blues will be without five first-team players for the 5:45pm kick-off at The Abbey Stadium.
Long-Awaited Return for Scott Wright
In a rare piece of positive news, Scottish winger Scott Wright could make his first appearance in over 10 months. Wright has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury in the 0-0 draw with Reading on February 22 last year. His return to the matchday squad for last weekend's victory over Coventry City has now put him in contention for valuable minutes in the cup.
"It's great news for Scott," Davies commented. "He has been working really hard and there was a great feeling amongst the group to welcome him back because he's been out for so long." With a demanding festive schedule now behind them, Davies is expected to rotate his squad, potentially handing Wright a crucial comeback opportunity.
Quintet of Absentees for Blues Boss
Wright's potential return offers a slight boost for Davies, who is currently grappling with a depleted squad. The manager confirmed that Alex Cochrane and Demarai Gray have joined the club's long-term injury casualties. They are set to miss the cup tie alongside Ethan Laird and Lee Buchanan, while Bright Osayi-Samuel is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
The specific updates on each absent player are as follows:
Latest Birmingham City Injury News
Alex Cochrane (Ankle): The left-back, who was a virtual ever-present last season, has been plagued by niggling issues this term. He has missed five of the last seven games and is not close to a return. Davies stated on January 8: "Alex has got an issue with his ankle and he's going to be out for a few weeks. Alex is the one that we're going to miss for longer."
Demarai Gray (Calf): The 29-year-old sustained this injury during the Boxing Day draw with Derby County, forcing him to sit out the last three matches. Despite being in excellent form prior to the setback, his return is not imminent. Davies indicated, "I still think we’re looking into February for Demarai. The original estimation was six weeks... I think we are looking right into February for that one."
Ethan Laird (Hamstring): The defender has been absent since September 27 after picking up a high-grade hamstring injury against Coventry. His rehabilitation is progressing, with Davies hopeful Laird can rejoin team training in February.
Lee Buchanan (Knee): Now twelve months into his recovery from a knee injury, Buchanan has only recently begun light training. The summer signing of Kai Wagner means the club can afford to be patient with his rehabilitation.
Implications for FA Cup Campaign
The absence of these five players presents a considerable challenge for Birmingham City as they aim to progress in the FA Cup. The fixture congestion over the Christmas period has taken its toll, forcing Davies to dig deep into his squad resources. While the potential return of Scott Wright offers a glimmer of hope, the manager will need to rely on the depth and versatility of his available players to overcome a determined Cambridge United side at their home ground.
