3 Birmingham City players sidelined against Middlesbrough

Birmingham City will play Middlesbrough this evening without their two first-choice centre backs.

Dion Sanderson completes his three-game suspension, while Krystian Bielik is out until after the international break.

Sanderson will be available for Saturday’s game against Watford, but interim Blues manager Mark Venus will have to make do with the defenders he has at his disposal for Boro’s trip to St Andrew’s (7.45pm kickoff). Emanuel Aiwu has been pulled in from the cold to start three consecutive Championship games, and Marc Roberts returned from a calf injury to partner him in the 1-0 loss at Millwall.

Bielik has missed the last four Blues games and is not likely to return until after the international break due to a torn stomach muscle. Venus provided an update on Bielik last week, stating: “Krystian is injured until after the internationals.” We will reassess him after the internationals.”

In addition to Sanderson and Bielik, the Blues will be without midfielder Alfie Chang. Chang has not played since suffering a significant knee injury during a training session in August, and he is still recovering at the Blues’ training camp.

Krystian Bielik

Injury: Stomach

Bielik returned from a groin injury on the eve of the Southampton match only to tear a muscle in his stomach in training. Venus has ruled him out until after the international break.

Possible return: QPR (a), March 29