Birmingham City are in front of their home supporters on Boxing Day as they host Stoke City at St Andrew's. Wayne Rooney will be hoping that on Christmas Day he receives some good news in the form of the EFL overturning Krystian Bielik's ban.
The 25-year-old was red carded in the 3-3 draw with Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday, and Rooney admitted in his post-match interview he would consider appealing the decision. A busy period awaits Blues with the Potters on Boxing Day, and then Bristol City on Friday, December 29, before a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Monday, January 1.
Lee Buchanan was stretchered off early on against Plymouth, and was sent to hospital, and is more than likely to miss the whole festive schedule. Emmanuel Longelo came in for him, in what was his first appearance in a few games, and you'd expect the former West Ham defender to hold on to his position in Buchanan's expected absence.
The potential absence of two players is a blow, but several players are closing in on a return to action. Several first-team players have been training for the last week, and could find themselves in contention over the coming games.
Stoke City themselves have some injuries to contend with, and this season were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Mark Travers was recalled by AFC Bournemouth, leaving them light in the goalkeeper department. It's one position that the Potters might be looking at when the January transfer window opens in a week.
A place and three points separates 18th-placed Birmingham and Stoke who are in 19th. Should Birmingham win they could go high as as 15th, whereas for Stoke they would only shoot up to 15th.
Birmingham must pick themselves up from the disappointment of not hanging on against Plymouth, and stop Steven Schumacher from getting his first win as Stoke boss. He witnessed a goalless draw with Millwall in his first match. Here's the latest injury and team news from the Birmingham City and Stoke camps.
1. Lee Buchanan - out
Stretchered off against Plymouth Argyle just 10 minutes into the game. It was a concussion substitute, and usually the protocol requires them to rest for 10 days. Photo: Getty Images
2. Lee Buchanan - out (continued)
Wayne Rooney said on December 23: "He's fine, he's OK, he's not serious. He has obviously being concussed but there's no serious damage, so we’re pleased with that. Photo: Getty Images
3. Enda Stevens - out
The right-back has missed the last three games through injury.
4. Krystian Bielik - out
Sent off in the 3-3 draw against Plymouth Argyle. As a result, he will at least miss one match. Blues do have the option of appealing the decision however. Photo: Getty Images