Manchester United starlet boosts Birmingham City as Lee Bowyer opens up about Ivan Sanchez exit

Welcome to BirminghamLive's coverage of all things Birmingham City on Thursday, February 3.

Lee Bowyer’s attacking cavalry has appeared on the horizon, with the Birmingham City manager revealing his trio of forward-minded players should be training by next Monday.

That includes Taylor Richards, the loan signing from Brighton, Manchester United’s Tahith Chong and newly-named club captain Troy Deeney, while Gary Gardner picked up a knock against Derby County last weekend but is expected to be fit to face Sheffield United on Friday.

Asked about Richards, Blues ’ head coach finally had some positive news to report - several weeks after he first move on loan: “He has just come back from Covid and today I see him jogging outside on the grass. I don’t know how far away he is but today is the actual first time I have seen him,” Bowyer said.

“ Man United are obviously doing his [Chong’s] programme and that’s going really well so from what I understand he will be back with us next Monday.

“He trains with us for two weeks, nothing else, just training for two weeks – then we will re-evaluate it then."

Lee Bowyer has revealed Ivan Sanchez asked to leave Birmingham City in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old, who has not played for Blues since having two operations on a groin problem, joined Real Valladolid on transfer deadline day.

The Segunda Division outfit also have an option to buy the winger in the summer at the end of his loan - making it probable rather than possible he has played his last game for Blues.

In all he made just one Championship start under Bowyer - and the head coach described the circumstances around his departure.

“Ivan, personally there’s no problem with him. I respect every single person