Birmingham City dealt big blow ahead of Lincoln City test amid update on £15m star
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Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has said Jay Stansfield is expected to miss this weekend’s game against Lincoln City through a knock.
Birmingham City made a big splash in the summer transfer window when they struck a deal with Fulham to bring former loan favourite Stansfield back to the club.
He was reported to have cost an initial £15m and since then, he has managed three goals and an assist in five League One games. The hope would have been for him to add to that tally against Lincoln City this weekend too.
The Blues are sure to be in for a real test at Sincil Bank this weekend. Michael Skubala’s side have been beaten only once in League One so far and can be tough to break down on home turf.
Now, Birmingham City look as though they’ll have to try and do so without Stansfield.
Speaking to Birmingham Live ahead of Saturday’s clash, Blues boss Chris Davies revealed the 21-year-old picked up a knock while away with England’s U21s and while it will be monitored on a day-by-day basis, Stansfield is unlikely to feature against Lincoln.
“He got a knock for England U21s and he’s unlikely to play this weekend,” he said.
“It’s something he’s picked up on international duty so we’ll see how he goes day by day but he probably won’t feature this weekend.”
In his absence
Losing Stansfield is a blow for Birmingham City. However, it’s no secret that they have ample attacking options who will be able to come into the fray.
The leading contender to take the starting berth will be Alfie May, last year’s League One top scorer.
Lyndon Dykes is also an option up top, with May occasionally dropping into attacking midfield. As such, perhaps both players could find starts with Stansfield out, though Davies will be sure to weigh up his options carefully with plenty of flexibility in his attacking ranks.
A chance for the Imps
Birmingham City are still going to be favourites to get all three points but with big goal threat Stansfield out, Lincoln City may sniff out an opportunity.
Even with him out, May and Dykes are two dangerous strikers. That’s not even bringing the rest of the Blues attack into consideration, with goalscorers out wide and in midfield too.
However, the fact the Imps won’t have to keep Stansfield quiet may make things a bit easier for their defence as they look to pick up a statement win.
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