Birmingham City’s injury concerns for Wayne Rooney are beginning to subside

George Hall is also improving, and Ethan Laird is getting closer to playing for Birmingham City again. He will play this weekend against Ipswich Town.

In Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Southampton, right defender Laird was not utilized as a replacement. Wayne Rooney stated that Laird would have played if there hadn’t been fitness concerns at St Mary’s.

Regarding Laird’s position this weekend, the Blues’ head coach is keeping things close to the vest. He may start in place of Cody Drameh, Manny Longelo, with Drameh going across, or he may stay on the bench. Nevertheless, the former Manchester United defender is very much back in the running.

“He’s had a good week of training, so he’ll be involved again,” Rooney stated. “On Saturday, I was going to introduce him, but Krystian [Bielik] wasn’t fit at all.

“Then Manny had a cramp; he hasn’t played this season, but he will be back in the team. I’m hoping to get him out on the field on Saturday. His development has thrilled me.

And as for poor Hall, he’s also extremely close, having suffered another hamstring injury minutes into his comeback game at the end of September.

“George is in front of the remaining three. For the past ten days, George has been training with the team.

“I think we would be better off being a little conservative and getting over the international break before having him available after that, but at a push, I definitely could push for him for next weekend.

“I believe that hamstring strains are inherently challenging, as all of your strength is evidently derived from there.” Because of this, we’re exercising a little caution and care because we don’t want him to return and repeat the action. In order to ensure that he arrives prepared to play, we are regaining additional power.

“I’m very hopeful that Lee [Buchanan] will be the first player back after the international break, with Tyler [Roberts] and Keshi [Anderson] likely in tow.”

The Blues, who lost their perfect record at St Andrew’s against Hull City the previous day, are hoping for their first point under Rooney’s leadership and their second straight at home against Ipswich.