Birmingham City vs Reading latest injury news - as 10 confirmed out and two doubts

Birmingham City take on another Sky Bet Championship challenge on Friday evening as they take on Reading at St Andrew’s. Up against a side hopeful of reaching the playoff spots, John Eustace and his men could find it tough to find their first win in three games.

Last time out Blues were held to a dull 0-0 draw at Blackpool, a game in which they were without top scorer Scott Hogan as he missed out through injury. It was Birmingham’s first competitive match after the four-week break for the World Cup, and the result kept them just one point away from the top half.

In 14th position currently, Blues are three points behind Reading, who are placed 8th. The Royals have won their last two, against Coventry City last weekend and Hull City at the start of November. Paul Ince’s side have been one of the Championship’s big surprise packages so far this term.

Eustace will be very aware of the difficult task that faces his team on Friday, but being back on home soil should provide somewhat of a boost. Will there be a similar advantage on the team news front, though? Here is all the latest, including updates on some key players.

What is the injury news ahead of Birmingham City vs Reading?

Birmingham could see the return of Hogan as Eustace assured the hamstring strain suffered by the forward was not serious. “Scott will be touch and go maybe for Reading,” Eustace said pre-match. “There’s an outside chance he will be available and if not hopefully in the next week he will be back in with the group,” Eustace continued.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gary Gardner is set to build fitness with the Under 21s this week and regular starter Harlee Dean is continuing his recovery. “Harlee is doing great,” Eustace said. “He is on the grass now. He is doing his rehab on that side of it and seems to be progressing well. It’s not a recurrence of the old injury, which is good.”

George Friend looked close to a return but has had another setback with a muscular problem, whereas Nico Gordon is gradually gaining fitness alongside the reserves and Przemyslaw Placheta remains sidelined with a long-term shin issue.

The visitors will have to make do without midfield duo Dejan Tetek (hamstring) and Ovie Ejaria (knock). Winger Femi Azeez and central defender Scott Dann are both ruled out as they are still working with the Under 21 squad ahead of their respective returns.

Former captain Liam Moore is another who will be unavailable for the clash, as the centre back has suffered a setback in recovering from a serious knee injury. There is some good news for Reading, however, with the experienced Sam Hutchinson perhaps making a return on Friday.

Ruled out: Gardner, Dean, Friend, Gordon, Placheta (BIR); Tetek, Ejaria, Azeez, Dann, Moore (REA).

Doubts: Hogan (BIR); Hutchinson (REA).