Mark Venus hopes Marc Roberts will be fit to face Hull City on Tuesday, easing Birmingham City’s central defence problem.
Roberts and Krystian Bielik both missed Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 loss to Southampton due to injuries, while captain Dion Sanderson was sent off in the second half for a challenge on Will Smallbone. Sanderson is now set to miss the Blues’ games against Hull, Millwall, and Middlesbrough following his second red card of the season.
Roberts, who started the Blues’ previous three matches, could play against the Tigers. Interim manager Venus stated, “Marc has a tight calf; I believe he will be out for a few days rather than weeks.” I believe he can play against Hull. I’m not sure what the % is, but I believe there is a chance.
Bielik, on the other hand, will be out for an extended period of time. Venus said, “Krystian has a torn abdominal muscle, so I’m not sure how long he’ll be out, but I believe it will be weeks, not days.
After allowing Kevin Long to join Toronto last month, the Blues could potentially travel to Hull with only one available centre-back, Emanuel Aiwu. If Roberts is unable to return, Lee Buchanan or Cody Drameh will most likely play alongside Aiw
Roberts has had calf troubles all season, and Venus confirmed after the Southampton game that the 33-year-old centre-back was absent due to a ‘tight calf’. Venus believes Roberts has a chance to play against Hull on Tuesday.
Bielik returned from a groin injury on the eve of the Southampton game, only to rupture a muscle in his stomach while training. Venus has ruled him out for ‘weeks’, meaning the Blues may be without Bielik until after the international break.
