Former Birmingham City midfielder could play first minutes since January 2021 this weekend

He hasn’t played a minute of football in 12 months
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Former Birmingham City midfielder Adam Clayton looks set to make his debut for Doncaster Rovers this weekend, 12 months after he last suited up on a football field.

Clayton, now 33, was signed by Blues ex-manager Aitor Karanka ahead of the 2020 season and looked a decent signing on paper.

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Over 200 appearances for Middlesbrough which included a decent spell in the Premier League, he brought with him bags of experience but like so many before him - it just didn’t work at Blues.

A foot injury derailed his season and even following his recovery, he seemed to make more mistakes when on the pitch than he did good things.

Karanka publicly stated that he had faith in the midfielder to turn things around but a mistake in the 1-1 draw away at Coventry City on January 30 would be the last time he ever put on the royal blue.

Clayton did find himself with a place on the bench up until March but never did see any more minutes on the field.

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Despite that, it took until November of 2021 for him to be released from his contract at St Andrew’s.

And in January of this year he was given a lifeline when Doncaster Rovers took a punt on the midfielder, signing him to an 18-month deal at the Eco power stadium.

They take on Plymouth Argyle on Saturday where Clayton is expected to play some part - 364 days since his last appearance in professional football.

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