Birmingham City summer plans unveiled as players get set for double challenge

Birmingham City have confirmed the details for their first two pre-season matches ahead of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign and there are indications of when the players will return to full training.

Blues are commencing a new era under the ownership of Tom Wagner and Shelby Companies Limited, with plenty of transfer activity expected over the coming months. Supporters will get the opportunity to see the new men in action at the end of July.

John Eustace’s side will travel across to the East Midlands to take on Northampton Town on Wednesday, July 19 with a 7.45pm kick off. There will then be a trip southwest to face Cheltenham Town on Saturday, July 22 at 3pm.

Ticket details for both fixtures will be available in due course but in the meantime, the squad will have to get back to fitness. Having finished the 2022/23 season on May 8 with a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United, Blues have had plenty of time to recover.

The surviving members of the squad - as well as future additions - have until the end of June to enjoy their holidays as training will begin at the end of the month. A training camp in Spain awaits, and then Birmingham will take on their two announced friendlies.

Blues lost their last meeting with Northampton by three goals to two in July 2021, whereas Cheltenham have been played in each of the last two pre-seasons. The last was a narrow 1-0 defeat but in 2021 it was a 3-0 win. Ticket details will be announced by the club in due course.