Birmingham City’s defensive numbers could soon be boosted with Ethan Laird and Dion Sanderson making progress in their recoveries from injury – but Lee Buchanan has suffered a setback.
Buchanan returned to training last week and was on course to return to the field before suffering another calf injury. Sanderson, meanwhile, is being given time to build up his fitness after a foot injury.
Ex-Blues captain Sanderson’s cause wasn’t helped by Ben Davies’ solid showing at Rotherham United last weekend. Davies filled in for Krystian Bielik, who is expected to retake his place in the back-line against Peterborough later today.
Laird, 23, started the season strongly before injuring his ankle in the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic last month. The right-back is recovering well at Blues’ training base.
Luke Harris and Alfie Chang are the only other absentees, although the latter isn’t eligible for League One matches having been omitted from the squad list by manager Chris Davies.
Giving an injury update in his press conference on Thursday, Davies said: “Lee was training with us but he’s just had another niggle, a little bit of a niggle again, so he’s back in the treatment room again. Hopefully it won’t be too long. I don’t know the full extent of it. We are waiting for more tests and details. It’s not a re-injury as such, but he’s felt his calf again.
“Luke still has a while to go yet. He has been in a boot with his ankle injury. Ethan is making reasonable progress and was outside jogging on the grass this week. There’s still a little way to go.
“Dion has been back training more with the first team, but it was a significant period that he was out for, so it’s about getting fitness for him.”
Dion Sanderson
Injury: Foot
Sanderson was a surprise omission at Leyton Orient after missing the win at Wycombe due to suspension. Davies said: “It’s a problem with his foot. It’s not a fracture or anything like that, it’s just something to do with his foot that needs treatment and time to recover.”
The 24-year-old defender is now back in full training but might have to bid his time with Davies only selecting one centre-back on the bench. Ben Davies is expected to fill that role against Peterborough.
Lee Buchanan
Injury: Calf
Left-back Buchanan was dogged by a calf injury in pre-season and it’s allowed Alex Cochrane to take his place in the XI. Buchanan will hope his setback doesn’t lead to a prolonged absence.
Ethan Laird
Injury: Ankle
The right-back has been ruled out until next month with an ankle injury. The news came as a bitter blow to Laird, who came through a full pre-season unscathed to start Blues’ first six matches under Davies, but he might not be far away from a return now.
Luke Harris
Injury: Ankle
Fulham loanee Harris was withdrawn with a similar issue to Laird against Wigan and missed out on representing Wales under-21s during the international break as a result. The 19-year-old is behind Laird in his recovery.
Alfie Chang
Injury: Knee
The 22-year-old is being given time to rebuild his fitness after more than a year on the side-lines with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Chang has been omitted from Blues’ squad meaning he isn’t currently eligible for League One fixtures but he has now returned to light training.
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