The future of Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard at St Andrew's is under serious scrutiny after he was a notable absentee from the matchday squad for Sunday's crucial victory over Coventry City.
Surprise Omission Sparks Exit Talk
Leonard, along with fellow Scot Lyndon Dykes, was a surprise omission from the 20-man group selected by manager Chris Davies. This was particularly striking given the 24-year-old had been involved in the club's previous 24 Championship fixtures this season.
When questioned about the midfielder's absence, Davies attributed it simply to 'selection'. His response of 'we'll see' when asked if Leonard could be leaving the club further fuelled speculation about an imminent departure.
BirminghamLive understands the club is open to letting Leonard leave during the January transfer window. This comes just 18 months after Blues fought off significant competition to sign him from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Frustration Builds Over Lack of Minutes
The root of the situation appears to be Leonard's frustration over a lack of consistent playing time. Sources suggest the player could have left the club last summer but was persuaded to stay by Davies.
However, opportunities have remained limited in the Championship this campaign. The emergence of Paik Seung-ho and Tommy Doyle as Davies's preferred central midfield pairing, following Tomoki Iwata's shift to right-back, has pushed Leonard further down the pecking order.
His season tally stands at just 15 Championship appearances, with only five starts, amounting to 685 minutes of action.
What Comes Next for the Glaswegian Midfielder?
Leonard has not been short of admirers in the second tier, with clubs like Sheffield United and Norwich City showing interest in the last year. The player now faces an anxious wait to see if any of those suitors will formalise their interest with an offer this month.
The Glaswegian is keen to remain at Championship level after helping Birmingham win the League One title last season. With two-and-a-half years still remaining on his current contract, a temporary loan move this January is considered more probable than a permanent transfer.
Any departure would likely hinge on Birmingham securing a replacement, as Davies is unwilling to leave his midfield options stretched. The manager currently relies on Paik, Doyle, and Iwata as his main options in the centre of the park.
As the domino effect of the January window begins, it now seems increasingly difficult to envision Marc Leonard remaining a Birmingham City player beyond the end of this month.
