Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers injury news - as 5 players ruled out and 4 doubtful

Birmingham City return to Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday afternoon as they play host to play-off chasers Blackburn Rovers at St Andrew’s. John Eustace’s side come out of the international break with the confidence of staying up after beating Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in their last outing, two weeks ago.

The fortnight away from action has given Blues’ squad time to recover from various fitness concerns, with a couple of players potentially back as soon as this weekend. Central midfielder Gary Gardner is expected to return following a groin issue sustained in the 1-0 loss to Luton Town last month, but captain Troy Deeney is sidelined for a couple more weeks with a hamstring problem.

Wolves loanee Dion Sanderson is most likely out for the rest of the season with a back injury, whereas fellow central defender Harlee Dean remains a doubt following a calf strain picked up in the defeat at Watford on March 14. Promising youngster Jobe Bellingham has been out with a stomach strain but featured for England U18 during the break, scoring against Switzerland.

The visitors are pushing for the return of attacking midfielder Bradley Dack (hamstring) on Saturday following a month on the treatment table. Centre back Daniel Ayala is out until the end of April with a thigh problem, whereas Jack Vale is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Blackburn’s U21s.

Long-term absentees John Buckley (knee) and Sam Barnes (ACL) will definitely miss the game at Birmingham, as well as much of the rest of the campaign. The pair are hoping to get back for pre-season. Other than that, there have been no other reported injuries for Jon Dahl Tomasson to worry about.

Ruled out: Deeney, Sanderson (BIR); Ayala, Buckley, Barnes (BBN).

Doubts: Gardner, Dean (BIR); Dack, Vale (BBN).