Birmingham City’s injured trio of Marc Roberts, Oliver Burke, and Lukas Jutkiewicz will likely still be out when Coventry visits St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Saturday, according to Gary Rowett.
Roberts, the right winger Burke, and Jutkiewicz, the striker, have not been available in Rowett’s first four games since taking over. The Blues have faced significant difficulties in launching punchy and aggressive attacks since the veteran striker Jutkiewicz’s departure.
Jutkiewicz, the club captain, has traveled with the team to the matches against Leicester and QPR. The 34-year-old was spotted sprinting across the field on Saturday before kickoff at King Power Stadium with a member of the Blues’ backroom crew.
In an update on injuries following Wednesday night’s loss to Cardiff, Rowett stated:”I believe Burke and Roberts, as well as Jutkiewicz, will still be absent. These are the three players that, in my opinion, are not now available.”
Although Rowett has started the same lineup for the last three games, he may alter it after the Cardiff match. The Blues are presently occupying 23rd position in the Championship and face relegation if they are unable to secure some victories in their remaining four games.
“Of course at this stage of the season when you perform like that, there’s going to be an opportunity potentially to make quite a few changes,” the Blues’ acting manager continued. We have made an effort to stick with the same squad, one that I believed could win football games. We didn’t execute to that degree, so after attempting to achieve that continuity and consistency, I believe it would be time to consider if people are given opportunities.”
Lee Buchanan’s groin injury
Despite his best efforts, Buchanan was substituted out of the game with 20 minutes remaining in Cardiff. Under Rowett, the left-back has been playing well, and the Blues cannot afford to lose him. “Lee just felt his groin a little so we weren’t sure and we haven’t got that direct replacement for him at the moment so Cody (Drameh) had to go on that side,” Rowett stated in a statement on Wednesday. Because he is right-footed, you could tell it was difficult for him because he kept wanting to go back inside. We merely attempted to come to a logical conclusion with Lee.”
