Birmingham City’s treatment room is almost empty for the first time this season. Alex Pritchard is due to return to training next week, meaning long-term absentee Alfie Chang will be the only player still sidelined.
Pritchard has only played 45 minutes since joining Blues from Sunderland in January due to a calf injury. Interim boss Mark Venus says Pritchard is due to return to training on Monday.
“Alex is going to train on Monday. That will be another player fit and ready for selection,” said Venus. George Hall is also making progress but Blues are erring on the side of caution with the 19-year-old.
Venus added: “George is fit and has played some under-21 minutes. Because of his injury record, George is being nurtured along a little bit slower than the other players. George is a young player who has got a lot of assets and we are looking forward to getting him on the first team pitch. We are excited by him, to be honest.”
Dion Sanderson has missed one month of football due to an ankle injury but the Blues skipper should take his place in the squad against Ipswich Town on Saturday. Chang, who has been missing since August because of a serious knee injury, has been cycling to improve his fitness.
Pritchard missed out on a reunion with Sunderland on Saturday. January signing Pritchard had to be substituted at half-time in his Blues debut against West Bromwich Albion and is now expected to return against Southampton next weekend.
