Birmingham City: Chris Davies reveals update on Christoph Klarer and Marc Leonard situations | OneFootball

The pair have both been forced off injured in the Blues' last two matches

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has revealed that defender Christoph Klarer will be assessed this week before any decision is made regarding his participation against Charlton Athletic this weekend.

The Austrian centre-back was forced off with 20 minutes to play in the 4-0 defeat of Cambridge United at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night, with apparent pain in his lower back.

The 24-year-old was replaced by Grant Hanley as the Blues saw out the victory to go seven points clear at the top of the League One table, but will remain a doubt for the weekend as they welcome the high-flying Addicks.

Davies also stated that Marc Leonard will be facing some extra time on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United in the FA Cup last weekend, while there were positive updates on Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Emil Hansson.

Chris Davies gives Christoph Klarer update

The injury to Klarer could well see the Austrian miss out on this weekend’s match with Charlton, and mark just the third game this season that he has been unavailable for selection.

Last summer’s recruit has become an immediate fixture in the heart of the City backline, playing 26 of their 28 league games so far this season, as the Midlands outfit search for an immediate return to the Championship.

While there would have been some concern as the defender went off with pain in his back on Tuesday night, Davies was still unsure of the extent of the issue after the full-time whistle.

“He was feeling something, the extent of it I don’t know, but he couldn’t continue so it’s a bit of a concern,” he told Birmingham Live.

“We’ll have to see how he is in the next couple of days.”

Chris Davies issues Marc Leonard, Emil Hansson, Taylor Gardner-Hickman news

Klarer isn’t the only Blues player facing some time on the sidelines of late, with Leonard also struggling after being forced off on the hour mark last Saturday with an injury to his leg [pictured below].

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man had a massive gash on his knee that will need some time to heal, with Davies giving a vague timeline for his recovery.

He continued: “Marc Leonard had treatment at the hospital and has now come out, I can’t give anything definitive but we’re hoping there’s nothing significant or structurally wrong with his knee.

“It’s a really deep gash so it’s a case of that recovering and they usually take a good few weeks.”

But it was good news for Gardner-Hickman and Hansson, with the former missing the last couple of weeks, while the latter is yet to feature in 2025.

“Taylor is getting closer day by day, but he’s still a little bit away. Emil Hansson is training now, hopefully next week he’ll be in full training.”