Birmingham City v Fulham injury news as four out for Carabao Cup clash

Birmingham City team news

Left-back Lee Buchanan suffered a calf injury in the last fortnight of pre-season, and is expected to return after the international break. Speaking to BirminghamLive, head coach Chris Davies said: "His return to training date is mid September, which then means he needs to get at least a couple of weeks under his belt, so we are looking towards the end of September for him to be available all being well.

“From what I hear and see, he is progressing on track. It’s a niggly injury in the calf but he is progressing on track and I’m really looking forward to getting him back.

“I felt like he had a couple of niggles in pre-season, I didn’t get the chance to have a really good look at him so I’m looking forward to him being fit.”

Academy midfielder Alfie Chang remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury. He picked up the injury last August, and is in to the final stages of his rehabilitation now, with there still a 'little way to go' before his training schedule intensifies.

Birmingham City could hand a debut to Ben Davies who signed on a season-long loan from Rangers, becoming their 13th signing of the summer. Blues are also in talks to sign Lyndon Dykes, and he is expected to undergo a medical after a £1m move was agreed. He played against Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup, and so he would be cup-tied, whilst there's an 12.00 pm cut-off the da before a game to register any new players.

Luke Harris is on a season-long loan from Fulham, and will be ineligible to play against his parent club. Dion Sanderson was missing against Leyton Orient through injury, and would be out for a 'few weeks'.

Out: Alfie Chang, Dion Sanderson, Luke Harris, and Lee Buchanan.

Fulham team news

Jay Stansfield is set to make his return to Birmingham after a decent loan spell there last season. The 21-year-old was regarded as Birmingham's best player in an otherwise dismal campaign after being relegated.

Stansfield got 13 goals in 47 games for Blues last season, and Birmingham were interested in signing him on a permanent deal this summer, but Marco Silva said he'd be staying at Craven Cottage. The three-time England under-21 international was an unused substitute at the weekend in Fulham's win over Leicester City, but made a cameo appearance off the bench against Manchester United on the opening weekend.

Earlier this month, Fulham signed Sander Berge from Burnley for a reported £25m, and he's in line to make his debut. He had been dealing with a slight quad issue according to Burnley boss Scott Parker before his departure, but he is expected to overcome that.

Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca could also make their debuts. Andersen joined from Crystal Palace, meanwhile Cuenca has arrived from Villareal. Asked if the trio will make their debuts, Marco Silva responded by saying: "Probably. Let’s see. It’s a moment when some players are arriving in our football club and some players need minutes as well. It’s a moment of the season when if you rotate it’s not about fatigue.

“It’s more because it’s important to have more players in the same level from a physical point of view. Andersen, he was playing game, played the Euros, had some pre-season games, and even the first [league] game of Palace. He is probably going to have minutes as well. And all the others are going to have a chance to play.

“Everybody is ready for the game. [Cuenca] is going to start tomorrow, definitely. He can surprise people who do not know him or La Liga well. We are really pleased to have him here.”

Carlos Vinícius and Kevin Mbabu meanwhile have yet to make a match day squad this term. Vinícius was subject of an offer from Las Palmas and is also wanted by Corinthians. Clubs from Spain, Holland, Turkey and Germany are all reportedly interested in signing Mbabu meanwhile.