Sanderson starts: Birmingham City team news and predicted XI to face Shrewsbury Town

Yesterday at 09:45 AM

Birmingham City head to divisional rivals Shrewsbury Town tonight in their second EFL Trophy group game.

Birmingham City have had the start most expected of them in League One, sitting top of the table with a game in hand on their rivals.

Their attentions turn to the cup this week though. In the EFL Trophy, the Blues have only played once so far and lost on penalties to League Two side Walsall. Chris Davies’ side are currently third in their group with just one point.

There is no doubt that the League is Birmingham’s focus but with the size of their squad, the cup allows the fringe players to impress.

Birmingham City team news

International call-ups for key men summer signings Jay Stansfield, Alfons Sampsted, Willum Willumsson and Lyndon Dykes mean they will be absent for Birmingham City tonight.

Lee Buchanan remains out after suffering a setback as he returned from a calf injury. However, Ethan Laird is close to a return and could make an appearance in the cup.

Dion Sanderson played for the U21s last week and could feature for the Blues as he makes his comeback.

Luke Harris and Alfie Chang remain out.

Predicted XI

(4-2-3-1)

Allsop; Khela, Sanderson, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Iwata; Wright, May, Yokoyama; Jutkiewicz

Wholesale changes are expected by Davies as only four keep their place from the defeat to Charlton Athletic.

Ryan Allsopp could keep his place in goal as Davies looks to nail down his number one. Bailey Peacock-Farrell had started the season but struggled to make the place his own and has dropped to the Birmingham City bench.

Alex Cochrane remains at left-back after missing out on the Scotland squad. Alfie May and Tomoki Iwata also keep their place after excellent starts to the season.

Dion Sanderson could come in to make his first start this term. The centre-back has been out since August.

New signings Marc Leonard and Scott Wright get chances to impress as both have started from the bench in the League for most of the season.

The post Sanderson starts: Birmingham City team news and predicted XI to face Shrewsbury Town appeared first on The72 - Football League News.