Lee Bowyer issues Tahith Chong warning as Manchester United loanee makes Birmingham return

Birmingham City head coach Lee Bowyer has admitted that patience will be needed with Tahith Chong as he looks to regain full fitness.

The Dutchman, who joined Birmingham on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United last summer, came off the bench during the Blues' 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.

Sidelined since October because of a serious thigh injury, Chong stepped off the bench during the second-half and completed the final 24 minutes of the contest.

Having made such a significant impact following his arrival at St Andrew's last summer, Birmingham's supporters are hoping to see Chong back in similar form now he's made his return.

However, Bowyer, although delighted to welcome the United loanee back into his plans, has refused to get too carried away.

"We all have to be patient with him, it was good to see him out there, it is going to take a while to get Tahith back to the position he was before the injury," said Bowyer, as quoted by Birmingham Live.

"Like I said he was a bit rusty, you saw he got caught a couple of times.

"He will play with the Under-23s tomorrow [Sunday] – and so will Taylor [Richards].

"They have just got to play catch-up now and see how many games we can get when they are both flying."

As revealed by Bowyer on Saturday, Chong started for the Under-23s on Sunday and scored, helping his side register a 4-2 home win over Middlesbrough.

The winger completed the first-half of the contest before being substituted at half-time. He will be hoping to feature for the senior side against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

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