Birmingham City return to St Andrew’s on Monday afternoon for their final game of the Championship season, against an already-promoted Sheffield United side. Having secured survival from relegation weeks ago, Blues can head into this one with very little pressure on their shoulders as they try and give supporters something to cheer about on the final day.
Head coach John Eustace was handed a one-match touchline ban earlier this week following a charge from the Football Association, so he will have to watch on from the stands. The boss will no doubt still have an input in some way, perhaps with an extra-long pre-match team talk to run through the game plan. He could even tell his men to play with more freedom.
Those are merely hypothetical situations but one thing that is for sure is Birmingham have some promising updates when it comes to the majority of their injury problems. There is concern for Tahith Chong after being stretchered off in the 2-0 loss at Coventry City, but plenty of the other players are looking in good shape.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, have quite a few fitness issues still to contend with ahead of the trip to Birmingham. The Blades have already achieved their target of automatic promotion to the Premier League, though, so will see this as merely an opportunity to end the season on a high – a bit like Blues, really.
1. Troy Deeney - returnee
Missed the trip to Coventry through illness but is back fit and available for Monday.
2. Jack O’Connell - ruled out
The defender is said to have “light at the end of the tunnel” but remains out with a serious knee injury.
3. John Ruddy - ruled out
The players’ player of the season suffered a hamstring injury in the win at Millwall and no risks will be taken to bring him back in for the final game.
4. Max Lowe - ruled out
Was forced off with a calf injury in the 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town and will miss the trip to Birmingham on Monday.