Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City early injury news as 4 out and 2 doubts

Birmingham City make the trip to the capital on Saturday as they face Charlton Athletic at the Valley in their final League One fixture before the international break.

The two sides met in the first round of the Carabao Cup in mid-August with Blues coming away with a 1-0 win. Academy graduate Brandon Khela scored the only goal of the game as Birmingham progressed.

Birmingham are unbeaten against the Addicks in their last three games, and come in to the game on the back of a 1-0 win against Huddersfield. Charlton on the other hand lost 3-2 to Bristol Rovers, having trailed 3-0 until the latter stages of the game.

Birmingham City team news

Dion Sanderson turned out for the under-21s on Monday. Sanderson played 45 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday in their Professional Development League match.

He hasn't played for the first team since being red-carded against the Addicks in a Carabao Cup first-round match at the start of August.

Lee Buchanan suffered a setback after it looked like he would return from a calf injury sustained in pre-season. Buchanan is dealing with a 'little bit of a niggle' and is now back in the treatment room.

Ethan Laird shouldn't be too far away from returning after suffering an ankle injury in August. On-loan Fulham midfielder Luke Harris also has an ankle injury but is further away from action to Laird.

Academy midfielder Alfie Chang is coming back from a knee injury, but right now isn't eligible to play for the first team. He hasn't been named in their 21-man squad.

Out: Lee Buchanan, Ethan Laird, Luke Harris, and Alfie Chang. Doubt: Dion Sanderson.

Charlton Athletic team news

Gassan Ahadme returned to action on Tuesday after missing the trip to Stevenage with a fractured nose. Ahadme was waiting for his mask to arrive as he was required to wear it to play. He started, but then had to make way for Chuks Aneke in what was an ‘enforced’ change.

Miles Leaburn returned from a lengthy lay-off against Bristol Rovers. A serious hamstring injury had him sidelined from the end of November, but he was afforded a 30-minute cameo against the Gas.

Midfielder Luke Berry is walking a tightrope as he sits on four yellow cards this season. He's able to play against Birmingham, but a yellow card then, or any time before the 19th game of the season will result in a one-game suspension.

Doubt: Gassan Ahadme