Birmingham City Face Major Injury Crisis Ahead of Leeds United FA Cup Clash
Birmingham City are preparing for a challenging FA Cup fourth round tie against Leeds United this Sunday at St Andrew's, but they face significant injury concerns that could see up to eight players unavailable for the crucial match.
Blues' Mounting Injury Worries
The Blues' injury situation has become increasingly concerning following their midweek goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion. The most immediate worry is midfielder Paik Seung-ho, who suffered a recurrence of his shoulder injury during that match.
Blues manager Chris Davies expressed serious concern about Paik's condition, stating: "It's that shoulder again and it's concerning because he's a massive player. It's obviously very painful to experience getting your shoulder like that again."
The injury list extends far beyond Paik, with several key defenders also sidelined. Jack Robinson remains unavailable with a hamstring injury sustained in the previous FA Cup round and isn't expected back until at least the end of February.
Left-back Alex Cochrane continues to be absent with an ankle injury that has kept him out since New Year's Day, while Ethan Laird has been unavailable since September with a serious hamstring tear.
Perhaps most concerning is the continued absence of Lee Buchanan, who has been sidelined for over a year with a knee injury. The left-back is gradually working on his fitness but remains unavailable for selection.
Leeds United Also Face Selection Headaches
While Birmingham's injury situation appears more severe, Leeds United also face selection challenges ahead of the FA Cup tie. The Whites come into the match following an impressive 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where they came from two goals down.
Leeds suffered a double setback ahead of that midweek encounter, with defender Pascal Struijk ruled out due to a flexor issue. Manager Daniel Farke indicated the quick turnaround made Struijk's participation unlikely, saying: "The turnaround is too quick for him to play."
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was also absent from the Chelsea match due to illness. While the severity remains unclear, there's a possibility he could be rested to allow additional recovery time before the FA Cup clash.
Midfielder Anton Stach represents a third potential absentee for Leeds, having missed the last two fixtures with a hip injury. Although the issue isn't considered long-term, the Birmingham fixture may arrive slightly too soon for his return.
Crucial FA Cup Fourth Round Encounter
This Sunday's match represents a significant opportunity for both clubs in the FA Cup, with Birmingham City looking to build on their recent defensive solidity and Leeds United aiming to continue their impressive form against Premier League opposition.
The injury situations for both sides will undoubtedly influence team selection and tactical approaches, with Birmingham facing particularly difficult decisions given their extensive list of unavailable players. The absence of key defenders could force manager Chris Davies to reshuffle his backline significantly against a Leeds attack that has shown resilience and scoring ability in recent matches.
As both teams prepare for this important cup tie, medical staff will be working overtime to assess fitness levels and recovery timelines, with final team announcements expected to generate significant interest among supporters of both clubs.
