“Ethan, Dembele, and Tyler Roberts are still touch and go,” Eustace remarked at his press conference on Thursday. George Hall will be a little bit longer. We’ll see how they clean up tomorrow. At the time, I believe Oli Burke will be the only one available who we did not have before the international break.”

Hall is currently limited to the gym at the Blues’ training camp in Henley-in-Arden, where he was joined on Thursday by teammate Alfie Chang. Chang is starting the long road to rehabilitation after tearing his ACL in training last month.

George Hall

Injury: Hamstring (Sustained August 29)

George Hall’s first start in over four months ended in yet another injury for Birmingham City’s talented teen.

Eustace included Hall in Blues’ line-up for the Carabao Cup second round defeat to Cardiff City on August 29. It was Hall’s first start since April 15 when Blues played Sunderland in the Championship, but he pulled his hamstring shortly before half-time and didn’t reappear for the second half.

Eustace said (August 31): “George has had some terrible luck already this season and will be out for at least four weeks I would have thought.”

Ethan Laird

Injury: Hamstring (Sustained August 19)

Laird suffered a hamstring strain towards the end of pre-season and picked up a similar problem in the win at Bristol City. He was replaced in the line-up by Juninho Bacuna against Plymouth and deadline day signing Cody Drameh started at right-back against Millwall last time out.

Siriki Dembele

Injury: Hamstring (Sustained August 19)

Dembele was clearly experiencing discomfort as he made his way off the pitch at half-time in the victory at Bristol City and didn’t re-emerge for the second half. The summer signing had been Blues’ most potent attacking player in the opening three league matches, but the team coped without him against Plymouth and Millwall.

Tyler Roberts

Injury: Calf (Sustained August 11)

Roberts completed pre-season, despite having to manage a groin complaint towards the end of it, and started the opening day draw with Swansea City. He was withdrawn after 60 minutes and rested for the Carabao Cup victory over Cheltenham Town.

Having trained all week Roberts was expected to start against his former club Leeds United on August 12 before picking up a new injury on the eve of the match. Eustace said (August 31): “Ethan, Dembs and Tyler are still two or three weeks away unfortunately. Hopefully we will look at them when we get back from the international break.”

Alfie Chang

Injury: Knee (Sustained August 22)

Chang is set for an extended period on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during training on August 22. The midfielder has become a fixture in Blues’ matchday squad under Eustace and was playing the role of back-up to midfield pairing Krystian Bielik and Ivan Sunjic.

Having undergone surgery on his injured knee, Chang could be seen on crutches at Blues’ meeting with Millwall on September 2. Speaking about Chang’s unfortunate injury, Eustace said (August 24): “It’s a massive blow. Alfie was pivotal in what we wanted to do last year. He came in at some important times in big games.

“The way he went down was a real sad thing to see. The lad is going to be a top player for this football club. He is going to be out for a number of months but I know he will come back stronger, fitter and raring to go.”