Norwich City vs Birmingham City injury news - as 4 players ruled out and 1 doubt

Birmingham City will have to dust themselves off and go again on Tuesday evening as they head away to face play-off hopefuls Norwich City in the Sky Bet Championship. Just three days on from a disappointing 2-1 loss at Huddersfield Town, Blues will be downbeat but also determined to put right their wrongs.

The defeat in Yorkshire on Saturday made it seven losses in the last nine, as Huddersfield felt the benefit of the new manager bounce with Neil Warnock now at the helm. Veteran striker Troy Deeney had given Birmingham the lead early on in the first half but goals from Joseph Hungbo and Jaheim Headley handed the Terriers a vital three points.

John Eustace’s side are now just seven points above the relegation zone with 14 games left to play, perhaps looking over their shoulders at the likes of Huddersfield, Rotherham United, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic with a nervous eye. Only one of those four teams suffered a loss last weekend - Rotherham - meaning the bottom three are gaining ground.

It’s not quite panic stations just yet, however, as Blues are still performing fairly well in games – they just need to drill certain mistakes out of their game and play with a bit more assurance. Plenty of players returned from injury a couple of weeks ago as Eustace outlined he had a fully fit squad for the first time this season, but there are fresh concerns ahead of the trip to Norfolk.

What is the team news ahead of Norwich City vs Birmingham City?

Tuesday’s hosts have a bit of a dilemma in the forward positions as Josh Sargent went off with an ankle injury as Norwich drew 0-0 with Wigan on Saturday and Teemu Pukki is still recovering from a calf problem. Adam Idah is likely to start up top but the Canaries will be mindful of having both of their top scorers out for the fixture.

Greek winger Christos Tzolis made his return off the bench at the weekend and he’s in contention for a start. Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos, loaned to Norwich by Arsenal in the January transfer window, is another player who could feature for David Wagner’s side.

Birmingham, meanwhile, have two fresh injury worries for the game as both Krystian Bielik and Troy Deeney were substituted during Saturday’s defeat at Huddersfield. Eustace didn’t seem overly concerned by either in the post-match press conference – but given Bielik went off on a stretcher, he’s certainly ruled out. Deeney felt his hamstring and will likely be given time.

Central defender Kevin Long, who had been out with a hamstring problem for two weeks, was back in the matchday squad in Blues’ last outing, so he will be fine to play. Reda Khadra has been absent since the win at Swansea City, when he too felt his hamstring. Eustace said last week that Khadra would be “touch and go” for Tuesday.

Ruled out: Sargent, Pukki (NOR); Bielik, Deeney (BIR).

Doubts: Khadra (BIR).