Birmingham City’s George Friend suffers another injury setback

Birmingham City defender George Friend has revealed he has suffered a setback in his bid to return from injury – placing further involvement this season in severe jeopardy.

Friend’s season has been plagued by a combination of hamstring and calf injuries and, just as he was closing in on a return, he has been dealt another blow.

After Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Hull City, Friend took to Instagram to tell fans his recovery from a calf injury has stalled, although he did retain his sense of humour.

He said: “Working hard after a small setback, great to see so many friendly faces at the game. Best to leave goalkeeping to the pros.”

Friend’s post praising Neil Etheridge for his clean sheet against the Tigers also referenced his own late cameo in goal against QPR in January, when Friend went between the sticks in the closing minutes following a season-ending injury to Matija Sarkic who dislocated his shoulder.

The versatile 34-year-old, who can operate in the centre or left of defence, has been involved in just 12 Championship games this season – making nine starts – despite Blues being ravaged by injuries in defence since the turn of the year.

A squad player he may be, but Friend would have been heavily involved given that Blues have also been hampered by the absences of Teden Mengi, Marc Roberts, Maxime Colin, Kristian Pedersen, Jordan Graham and Jeremie Bela.

Friend, who was brought to Blues by Lee Bowyer’s predecessor Aitor Karanka ahead of the 2020/21 season, has a contract at St Andrew’s which runs until June 2023.

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