'He's a big talent' - Birmingham boss makes Tahith Chong prediction after Man United extension

Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer expects Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong to spend another season away from Old Trafford on a temporary basis.

Chong has established himself as a key player at St Andrew's, despite seeing his progress hampered after he was forced to undergo surgery on a thigh injury last year. The 22-year-old has now recovered and will no doubt play a crucial role in the Blues' bid to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.

On Friday, Chong's one-year contract extension was triggered by United, meaning he's now contracted until 2023. With Chong's loan at Birmingham set to expire at the end of the season, Bowyer believes another temporary spell away from Old Trafford could be on the cards.

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“I think he is a good player. He has obviously been unlucky this season with his injury," he said (via Birmingham Live ). "It was a freak one so he didn’t play as much football as Chongy or Man U would have liked so I can understand why they have done that (extended his contract) because he is a big talent.

“He is a player that is learning the game, that is what he was doing here, learning and improving. It was just unlucky that it got cut a little bit short.

"So I am sure they will be looking to loan him out again next season somewhere, to get a full season under his belt and then go from there. That’s just me putting two and two together, but that’s what I think will probably happen with him and what he probably needs I think.”

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