Birmingham City: Chris Davies drops frustrating Jay Stansfield update | OneFootball

The forward was away with England's under-21s over the past two weeks.

Jay Stansfield is set to miss Birmingham City's game against Lincoln City after picking up an injury while away on international duty, Blues boss Chris Davies has revealed.

The former Fulham forward has been a part of England's youth setup for many years now. Stansfield currently plays for the country's under-21s side, but he has also lined up for their under-20s and under-18s.

His call-up by the reigning under-21s World Cup holders for the October international break was the first he'd been selected since he rejoined Birmingham in the summer for a reported fee of £15 million, which could rise to £20 million. That record-breaking sum was part of what The Athletic report was a summer window that involved £20-25 million being spent in total.

Despite his selection, the 21-year-old was not used by Ben Futcher in either of their games against Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the course of the two matches, England won by an aggregate score of 9-1.

This decision not to use the eight-figure forward appears to not have been a tactical one, but one in relation to the player's fitness.

Jay Stansfield picks up injury on international duty

Birmingam Live have reported that Stansfield was hurt in training during his time away with the under-21s and that he is now likely to miss the Blues' first game after the international break against Lincoln.

City and their boss Chris Davies come into this game against the Imps with an unfamiliar feeling; they're coming off the back of a loss. A 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic was the result of Birmingham's last game before the two weeks off.

Unfortunately, the striker probably won't be able to help them get back to winning ways this weekend.

"He got a knock for England under-21s and he’s unlikely to play this weekend," said Davies to Birmingham Live on Stansfield's injury.

"It’s something he’s picked up on international duty so we’ll see how he goes day by day but he probably won’t feature this weekend."

Amid their quest for an immediate return to the Championship, Birmingham's boss is hoping that he won't be without his star forward for too long.

City are also going to be without captain Krystian Bielik, who picked up an ankle injury in the aforementioned loss to the Addicks.

Birmingham shouldn't be too worried by Jay Stansfield's injury

The nature of Davies' quotes doesn't suggest that this injury that Stansfield has picked up has a high chance of keeping him off the pitch for a long time. Plus, it's not like they don't have anyone to replace him.

Even without the England under-21, they still have a Scottish international in Lyndon Dykes and the reigning League One top scorer in Alfie May to call upon.

Despite playing Championship football for the past four seasons, prior to his move to St Andrew's, Dykes has been a bit-part player, only making two starts under Davies.

May, on the other hand, has worked his way back into the first XI after a couple of games on the bench. He already has five goals and one assist this season.