Birmingham City are hoping for something better from last time out as they host Hull City at St Andrew’s in the first home match of the Wayne Rooney era.
The Manchester United legend had a reality check at the weekend as his former Red Devils teammate Michael Carrick got one over on him with a 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium. Morgan Rogers scored in the 88th minute thus making for a losing start to Rooney’s tenure. It was a result that saw them drop down a place into seventh with Boro overtaking them.
Wednesday's opponents Hull City suffered a similar fate as they conceded a stoppage-time goal to Southampton. Liam Delap equalised after Will Smallbone's opener but Newcastle United loanee Ryan Fraser scored in the fifth minute of injury time to take maximum points back to the South Coast.
In Rooney's second game in charge, he comes up against another familiar face, this time Liam Rosenior. The pair worked together at Derby County with Rooney giving him first break into coaching, and Rosenior later went on to become Rams boss following Rooney's departure to DC United.
Birmingham are at risk of being overtaken on Tuesday with some teams below them like West Brom and Cardiff City playing a day before them. A win on Wednesday coupled with some results going in their favour however could see them go as high as fourth thus claiming back a top-six spot with little over of the quarter of the 46-game season gone.
Without further ado here’s the latest injury and team news from the Birmingham City and Hull City camps. Flick through to see who is absent and doubtful as well as some players who are nursing injuries.
1. Tyler Roberts - out
Suffered a calf injury against Swansea City. He suffered a set-back, and hasn’t been close to returning. Photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
2. Regan Slater - out
Picked up a hamstring injury in early October. Missed the two games before the international break, and didn’t face Southampton at the weekend either. He’s expected to be out until the New Year by all accounts. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
3. Regan Slater - out (continued)
Liam Rosenior said to HullLive: “He’s looking great, I saw him today. “He’s bending his legs, he’s itching to get back in it but it’s still going to take a bit of time.” Photo: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
4. Ethan Laird - out
Suffered a hamstring injury in the middle of August and hasn’t played since. He’s the closest out of anyone to returning, but Cody Drameh has deputised well for him in his absence. Photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)