'Every minute' - Lee Bowyer reveals Birmingham City injury plan

Lee Bowyer believes the international break comes at a perfect time for Birmingham City’s walking wounded to ‘recharge their batteries’. Blues have two weeks off before they face local rivals West Bromwich Albion at St Andrew’s on Sunday week – an opportunity for some of their injured players to return and others carrying knocks to recover.

There have been plenty of both this season with virtually every outfield player experiencing a pull or a strain at some stage during the campaign, an issue that has totally undermined Blues ’ progress. The likes of Teden Mengi and George Friend won’t be ready to return to face the Baggies – but there is hope surrounding others.

Troy Deeney has been working his way back after a couple of months out, while Lyle Taylor is targeting a similar return time – both having picked up training ground knocks. Bowyer is looking forward to the break and insists the more players Blues have, the less strain will be placed on those who are available.

“It will give us an opportunity to maybe get Lyle back for the next game,” the head coach said. “I know a couple of our lads are going away on international duty – but it has been relentless and we have had a lot of players playing a lot of minutes back to back with no days rest – hardly anything.

“It will give us an opportunity to let them recharge their batteries a little bit because it has been tough. That’s partly the reason why we have had as many injuries as we have. You are just asking Robbo [Marc Roberts], Max [Maxime Colin] – two examples, you have asked them to go, go, go, play every minute of every game, Saturday-Tuesday/Wednesday-Saturday.

“Then they break down, then they come back and have three days training and get chucked back in again