Birmingham City round-up: Fran Villalba bid, Tahith Chong & Taylor Richards latest, Lyle Taylor fitness

Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer has provided a number of key updates surrounding current members of the playing squad ahead of Sunday’s trip to Derby County.

It was a classic final pre-match press conference before the transfer window closes with plenty to get the teeth into.

From the news of another incoming which you can read about here, to outgoings, to the latest on the injury front - here’s the big talking points from Friday’s presser.

Fran Villalba bid

“Yeah I think there has been interest in Fran.

“Do I think he will go? I don’t know, I don’t get involved in all that side of things.

“He’s not here now, he’s not part of my plans. I’m sure Craig will deal with that.”

Tahith Chong update

“He’s still going to be a little while when we do finally get him back.

“He’s still got to train with us for two weeks before we can even start introducing him to games.

“He’s still a little way off yet.”

Taylor Richards update

“Taylor’s just got covid.

“He’s meant to have been starting outside maybe on Monday with a little bit of running and stuff but that’s obviously going to knock it back now.

“So yeah, he’s a bit delayed now because of covid.”

Lyle Taylor

“My relationship with any player that I’ve worked with will never change. I’ll have a mutual respect with them and that’s the way with life.

“I’ve kept in contact with him since he left. I wanted him to go on and do well after he left Charlton because I’m a big part of helping him get there.

“I want all my players (to do well). My job is to improve players and to see them go on to bigger and better things.

“Lyle has definitely done that going to Forest. He got a contract that he earned over the years. It was a lot of hard work that got him there.

“Being able to bring him here, obviously the working relationship we had in the past that made it easy because he knows I can get the best out of him.

“He’s a good striker and he’ll improve our squad. It was a no brainer.

“Today is the first day I’ve actually seen him train, physically seen him and he looked OK.

“I’m still seeing him score goals like I have done for years.

“He’s in a good place I think.”

Juninho Bacuna - a bit of a coup?

“I think it’s definitely a statement to say like, the type of player we want to bring in and the direction we want to go in as a football club.

“He’s a good player, a young player, good experience.

“Does he have faults? Of course he does. Every player has faults. It’s down to me to improve him in them couple of little things that are negative if you like.

“He will. He’ll improve. He’s a good player and I feel we’re lucky to have him in.”

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and keep the conversation going.