Jay Stansfield injury decision made as ‘exhilarating’ midfielder starts - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Exeter

Blues return to League One action for the first time in two weeks as they play host to Exeter City at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Saturday.

Chris Davies’ side, 13 matches unbeaten across all competitions, will be keen to extend their hot streak against an Exeter side on the back of two successive defeats. Blues have already between the Grecians twice this campaign with a 2-0 win in the league and a 2-1 victory in the Vertu Trophy.

Jay Stansfield will be itching to play against his former club - also the side his late father played for - and Davies has confirmed the striker is in contention following a minor injury. Captain Krystian Bielik is said to be “close”, while the game comes too soon for Keshi Anderson. Lee Buchanan, Tomoki Iwata, Willum Willumsson and Emil Hansson are all out.

With those team news updates in mind, here’s the Blues XI we reckon will take on the Grecians.

Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Exeter City

GK - Ryan Allsop

The boyhood Bluenose has been the first choice goalkeeper for a while following a host of errors from Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the beginning of the campaign.

RB - Ethan Laird

The former Manchester United man is of top-half Championship quality on his day. He just needs to find those days more often.

CB - Christoph Klarer

Klarer has proven himself as one of the best central defenders in the division since signing from Darmstadt in the summer.

CB - Ben Davies

The manager’s namesake has delivered when called upon and deserves to start once again for Blues. The Rangers loanee has settled in impeccably well.

LB - Alex Cochrane

Cochrane is expected to start most games for the time being as Lee Buchanan is out with another serious injury.

CM - Marc Leonard

Starts have been few and far between for Leonard this campaign but he has an opportunity with Tomoki Iwata sidelined through injury.

CM - Paik Seung-ho

Blues will be relieved to have Paik back as his presence of mind in and out of possession makes him one of the best midfielders in League One.

RW - Jay Stansfield

Back in contention, we reckon Stansfield will start given the personal importance of this match, even if he has to come off early to ease back in.

CAM - Lyndon Dykes

Dykes started just behind the striker last time out and did a decent job, so he could be called upon again. Willumsson continues to miss out due to an injury.

LW - Ayumu Yokoyama

Fresh off the back of an exhilarating display in the Vertu Trophy, Yokoyama deserves to start – especially as Emil Hansson is still out through injury.

ST - Alfie May

May, last season’s Golden Boot winner, has scored 10 goals and made four assists in 23 League One games this term.