Another Southampton star out vs Birmingham after significant injury news
As Southampton fight to leapfrog Ipswich Town and Leeds United in the race to secure the final automatic Championship promotion spot, their injury list is beginning to pile up at the worst possible time.
Russell Martin will already be forced to contend without Newcastle United loanee Ryan Fraser until after the international break and long-term absentees Ross Stewart and Juan Larios for an extended period of time, meaning that any more injuries only add to Saints’ frustrations.
Since their historic unbeaten run came to an end against Bristol City, Southampton have lost back-to-back games against Hull City and Millwall in the Championship, before exiting the FA Cup at the hands of a young Liverpool side.
With Tony Mowbray’s Birmingham City side up next, Martin’s men must return to winning ways if they are to close the five-point gap separating themselves, Ipswich and Leeds. As things stand, even after a club-record unbeaten run, Southampton will be forced to settle for a place in the play-offs. And that’s why Kyle Walker-Peters’ injury has come at the worst time.