Gary Rowett has a number of selection quandaries to consider before the first game of his second spell in charge of Birmingham City, but none are more important or pressing than the composition of his midfield.
The 50-year-old has been named acting Blues manager until Tony Mowbray recovers enough to return in the summer. Mark Venus has turned over the reins to Rowett, who will lead Blues against Queens Park Rangers on Friday. Venus has also temporarily stepped away.
Due to injuries and internationals, Rowett has a massive selection headache in his midfield. Jordan James and Paik Seung-ho have not met Rowett yet due to their international commitments with Wales and South Korea, respectively.
James is expected to lead Wales’ midfield in their European Championship play-off against Poland on Tuesday, while Paik hopes to play in Korea’s World Cup qualifier against Thailand. According to BirminghamLive, Paik is expected to return to Birmingham on Wednesday, by which point James should have arrived at the Blues’ camp in Henley-in-Arden.
However, with the QPR game scheduled for 3 p.m. on Good Friday, James and Paik may only get one training session under Rowett before the game. Thursday’s session is anticipated to be similarly light. And the difficulties don’t end there.
Andre Dozzell is on loan from QPR and will consequently be unable to participate at Loftus Road. Juninho Bacuna is an additional option, but his international trip to Turkey with Curacao for friendlies against Hull City and Alanyaspor puts him in the same boat as James and Paik.
Rowett has previously stated that he was impressed with the Krystian Bielik/Ivan Sunjic midfield axis that the Blues used in the early stages of the season. He may not be able to call on Bielik due to a torn stomach muscle.
Sunjic is one of two senior midfielders that Rowett has been able to work with over the international break, the other being Gary Gardner, who has only started one Championship game this season. Sunjic, a Croatian enforcer, appears certain to play.
