'My understanding' - Jay Stansfield injury update ahead of Birmingham City vs Wrexham clash
The Blues star man suffered a knock against Sheffield Wednesday
Birmingham City face the Hollywood-backed, Welsh outfit on Friday night at The Racecourse in a match involving two newly-promoted sides.
Chris Davies has issued an update on Jay Stansfield ahead of the Wrexham match, after their £15m man went off injured against Sheffield Wednesday. Stansfield opened the scoring on Tuesday night, however the struggling Owls came back with goals from Jamal Lowe and George Brown. Despite this, Demarai Gray netted in the 99th minute to get The Blues’ customary late goal to salvage a point.
After enduring their worst run of form since Davies took over last year, it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Birmingham fans when Stansfield was substituted in the 73rd minute, especially considering the 22-year old has already been sidelined this season. The former Fulham man suffered an ankle injury in the Port Vale defeat two months ago, however, The Blues boss has ensured Stansfield’s substitution against Wednesday was just a precaution.
‘He’s fine’ - Davies gives Stansfield injury update
The tackle that led to the England under-21s International’s substitution from Max Lowe looked to be on his ankle, but Davies doesn’t appear to be worried. He said: “he’s got strapping on it (his ankle). From my understanding he’s fine.”
An injury to their star man would be the last thing The Blues boss needs as they’ve won just one game out of their last six after a promising start to the season. The treatment room at St Andrew’s is busy enough as it is, with Ethan Laird and Marvin Ducksch already facing lengthy sideline stints.
Bright Oyasi-Samuel also went off injured in Tuesday night’s draw and is a major doubt for the Wrexham clash. The Nigerian played on for a while with a foot injury but was soon hooked by his manager for Paik Seung-ho. Willum Willumson and Keshi Anderson are both set to return soon from short term injuries but whether they’ll be fit for Friday night. is another matter.
A familiar opponent
Davies featured for Wales at youth level in his playing days and is looking forward to his first trip back to The Valleys since January when the sides met in League One. It finished honours even in Wrexham that day, as Lyndon Dykes cancelled out an Oliver Rathbone strike for the home side.
In the reverse fixture, Stansfield scored a brace in a 3-1 victory for the Blues at St Andrews. The forward loves to play against Birmingham’s ‘Hollywood’ rivals, which is yet another reason Davies will hope he’s match-fit. Wrexham joined the Blues last season in going up from League One, accumulating an impressive 92 points.
Having had a shaky start to life in the Championship, The Dragons are unbeaten in their last four. A win on Friday night would mean they leapfrog Birmingham in the table.