Wayne Rooney will hope for good news on the injury front over the coming days as he aims to rack up his first win as Birmingham City manager when they host Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.
The Manchester United and England legend has taken just one point from his first five games in charge since he was named as successor to John Eustace just over a month ago. That point came with an encouraging 2-2 home draw with promotion contenders Ipswich Town earlier this month but the Blues return to losing ways prior to the international break when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Sunderland.
However, the game against Wednesday will be viewed as a perfect chance to earn a first maximum under Rooney as the Owls sit bottom of the Championship table with just one win in their first 16 games since they returned to the second tier last season. Ahead of next weekend's clash, BirminghamWorld looks at the injury concerns facing Rooney and his Wednesday counterpart Danny Rohl.
5. OUT: Tyler Roberts (calf)
Wayne Rooney: "I’m hoping that Lee Buchanan will be available for Sheffield Wednesday. Keshi (Anderson) and Tyler Roberts may be a little bit longer, but gradually we are starting to get players back." Photo: Getty Images
6. OUT: Alfie Chang (ACL)
Alfie Chang: "It is good, I have had two operations now and have got no more planned - it is just going up from here really, progressing week by week, month by month.” Photo: Eddie Keogh
7. DOUBT: Lee Buchanan (ankle)
Wayne Rooney: "I’m hoping that Lee will be available for Sheffield Wednesday. Keshi (Anderson) and Tyler Roberts may be a little bit longer, but gradually we are starting to get players back. Hopefully we have Lee back for Sheffield Wednesday.” Photo: Cameron Howard
8. DOUBT: George Hall (hamstring)
Wayne Rooney: “He’s a player we have to be careful with because he’s an explosive player. He has had recurring injuries in the past, so we have been looking into how we manage him and how we get him up to full speed.” Photo: Clive Mason