Birmingham boss Alex McLeish speaks about injuries ahead of the Wigan clash - English Premier League
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish revealed he expected to have six players return for injury in time for the crucial English Premier League clash against Wigan over the weekend. McLeish has not had about eight first team players available to him because
of injury, having to do without them in the quarter final of the FA Cup against Bolton Wanderers.
Two players, Barry Ferguson and Martin Jiranek, picked up injuries during the match and had to be taken off. However, the injury situation at Birmingham seems to be improving now according to the Blues boss. It’s no doubt he will be more than happy to welcome
back some very important players at Birmingham prepare for the relegation battle.
Sources revealed that Birmingham City skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Obafemi-Martins-c28273, Craig Gardner joined Ferguson and Jiranek in training today. They are expected to be fit and available for selection for the upcoming fixture on Saturday. Nikola
Zigic, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Keith-Fahey-c20526 however, still remain a doubt.
McLeish said while speaking to reporters, “We had a right few missing last week and, if they had played, there could have been a danger of them incurring muscle injuries and being out for the next month or even longer. It was good for them to get a regeneration
of the batteries and also to get some much needed treatment.”
McLeish only had nice things to say about http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Craig-Gardner-c9475, the versatile Englishman. The 24-year-old has been excellent this season, having scored seven goals so far. McLeish said, “Gardner has been very important for us this season, the amount of goals he
has scored, and he has taken his opportunity well.”
The 33-year-old http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barry-Ferguson-c7311 also earned some praise from McLeish, who insisted the side was just not the same without the Scotsman. He continued, “Ferguson needs no introduction. He brings a calmness to the team and gives us some control in midfield with
his great maturity and ability.”
Overall, McLeish was extremely pleased with the return of the players from injury, especially since his side have some tough fixtures coming up. He said, “It is good to get the experienced guys back.” It will be essential for Birmingham to be in the best
form possible if they wish to somehow avoid relegation.
Birmingham are currently 17th on the Premier League table, on level points with 18th place West Ham United. The relegation survival battle is only just beginning and with Birmingham facing both http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 next month, among
some other tough opponents, the presence of first team players is essential.
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