Birmingham City will conclude their pre-season training camp in the Algarve with a friendly against League One side Huddersfield Town on Friday, July 10 at the Estadio de Nora (11pm). Chris Davies has been working with a 24-man squad in the final training session on Thursday, following the departure of Marvin Ducksch for a scan on an injury sustained earlier in the week.
Key absentees and injury updates
Ethan Laird is the only senior player left at home, having reported an injury issue upon his return to the Elite Performance and Innovation Centre in Henley-in-Arden last week. Laird had been working with his own personal coach in the United States during the summer. Marc Leonard, who travelled to Lagos but is confined to the gym, suffered a ruptured Achilles while on loan at Hearts last season. Dael Fry and Jay Stansfield are a week behind in training and will miss the first friendly.
Youngsters called up
Goalkeepers Ryan Allsop and Brad Mayo are supported by Will O'Sullivan, one of four youngsters called up by Davies. Riquelme Thompson-Jones, Billy Burrell and Briar Bateman have also made the trip. Teenagers Jack Quirk, a left-sided defender who has just turned professional, and forward Alezandro Da Silva could arrive in Portugal before the Huddersfield match to give Davies more options.
Defensive and midfield options
New signing Dael Fry joins a defensive unit that includes Bright Osayi-Samuel, Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann, Jack Robinson, Kai Wagner, Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan. Buchanan is getting a chance to impress Davies after a wretched two years with injuries and could play against Huddersfield. With Paik Seung-ho afforded extended leave after the World Cup, the midfield comprises Tomoki Iwata, Jhon Solis, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Kanya Fujimoto.
Forward line
Davies has six senior forwards available: Carlos Vicente, Patrick Roberts, Demarai Gray, Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi and August Priske, after Ducksch's departure.
Full tour squad
Goalkeepers: Ryan Allsop, Brad Mayo, Will O’Sullivan. Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Riquelme Thompson-Jones, Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann, Dael Fry, Jack Robinson, Billy Burrell, Kai Wagner, Alex Cochrane, Lee Buchanan. Midfielders: Tomoki Iwata, Jhon Solis, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Marc Leonard (injured), Kanya Fujimoto. Forwards: Carlos Vicente, Patrick Roberts, Demarai Gray, Briar Bateman, Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi, August Priske.
