Alex Dicken plots Birmingham City’s dream return to Championship action after the first international break of the season

The international break is nearly over, and Birmingham City is preparing to return to Championship play.

Blues travel to Watford on Saturday before hosting Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers the following week. During the international break, John Eustace was able to train with the majority of his squad and put them through their paces twice on Tuesday.

Neil Etheridge, Juninho Bacuna, and Jordan James were unable to attend due to obligations with their respective countries. On Tuesday, Etheridge started the Philippines’ 2-1 win over Afghanistan, while James played in Wales’ 2-0 win in Latvia and Bacuna started Curacao’s 1-0 losses to Trinidad and Tobago and Martinique.

With the matchday approaching, Eustace will be finalizing arrangements for Watford in the intention of continuing the Blues’ strong start to the season. We imagined the Blues’ ideal comeback to Championship competition…

The last two weeks have been dominated by speculation about the Blues’ head coach and his possible departure. Rangers are not the first club to show interest in Eustace since he was appointed Blues manager in July 2022, but they are the first since Knighthead took over the club in July.

A follow-up story has claimed Wayne Rooney is under consideration for the Blues job in the event that Eustace departs. While Eustace will no doubt be flattered by Rangers’ interest, less so the Rooney rumours, this news isn’t exactly ideal for Blues.

Just when Blues were riding high and enjoying some stability for the first time in many a year, the Eustace/Rooney leaks have created an unwanted distraction. Eustace will expect his players to take no notice – let’s hope their form isn’t affected.

Triple injury boost

George Hall might be confined to the gym for a little while longer, but Ethan Laird, Siriki Dembele and Tyler Roberts appear to be closer to returning. Three weeks have passed since Laird and Dembele suffered hamstring injuries in the 2-0 win at Bristol City, and Roberts has been sidelined for a month with a calf injury.

Laird and Dembele were central figures in Blues’ opening two Championship matches. Dembele scored Blues’ goal at Swansea on the opening day and the pair combined to win the penalty which Lukas Jutkiewicz scored to down Leeds United on August 12.

Blues will be hoping to get Laird, Dembele and Roberts back in contention as quickly as possible.

Hogan makes amends

Speaking of penalties, Scott Hogan might have taken his last spot-kick for Blues. The striker failed to net from 12 yards against Millwall last time out and Eustace admitted afterwards that a conversation may be required over who steps up for Blues in future.

Hogan had netted two goals in his previous two games, hence his confidence, but his penalty lacked conviction. A career record of two successful penalties from seven attempts isn’t befitting of a dedicated taker.

Having said that, Hogan’s all-round play this season has improved week by week. His fitness levels have risen and his pressing has been important to Blues’ set-up in the Championship. A goal or two after the international break will make supporters forget about his penalty woes.

Tyler Roberts joins the party

Due to the plethora of attacking talent at Eustace’s disposal, Roberts’ absence from the squad hasn’t been noticed. The 24-year-old striker has endured injury troubles in the last two seasons and joined Blues with the hope of reigniting his career.

A pre-season groin grumble, which Roberts played through, and a calf problem have blighted him up to now. Once he is fit enough to return, the onus is on Blues’ medical staff to keep him in good condition, then Eustace can focus on getting the best out of him.

There is no doubt that Roberts – who won promotion and played in the Premier League for Leeds United – can be hugely influential for Blues if they can get him on the pitch regularly enough.