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Chaplin and Szmodics Remain Sidelined, Tuanzebe Could Start
Thursday, 23rd Jan 2025 15:46

Conor Chaplin and Sammie Szmodics remain unavailable for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool but with the Blues having no new injury issues.

Chaplin has been out for a month with a knee problem, while Szmodics hurt his ankle at Fulham.

“I think nothing too drastically different, Sam Szmodics and Conor Chaplin are still going to fall short,” manager Kieran McKenna said when asked about the fitness situation.

“Axel [Tuanzebe]’s had some more time with the group [having returned from his hamstring injury as a sub last week], Ben Godfrey's had some more time with the group, which has been useful.

“So, more sort of an extra couple of days training with those boys who were just back last week. But other than that, I think the boys who missed out last week are still going to be unavailable.”

McKenna says Chaplin hasn’t been entirely ruled out for the Southampton match: “He's not training with the group yet. He's working outside with a rehabilitation coach, so he's certainly not available this weekend.

“For next weekend, I would imagine it is doubtful, but we'll have to see how next week goes.”

Regarding Szmodics, he added: “He's pretty similar to Conor. He pushed to be available for last week, but wasn't ready and has needed to take a step back now.

“So he's with the rehabilitation coach, he’s not training with the group and we'll see how he goes next week.”

McKenna says Tuanzebe was in contention to start last week against Manchester City but feels the DR Congo international is now in a better position to come back into the XI.

“He's come through well,” the Blues manager continued. “It was a big positive from the day. There was a small debate on starting him because he had trained well a few days before.

“But despite how the day went, we are probably glad with that decision because he came through the game well.

“He's now had a few days’ good training and he's certainly more ready to start a game than he was last weekend.

“I'm sure he'll be ready to start a game soon, so whether that's this Saturday or in one of the games coming up, he's certainly getting much closer to that point.”


Photo: Matchday Images



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Mariner1974 added 15:50 - Jan 23
Having Axel back to play right back/ or right of the three will be golden if we can keep him fit til the end of the season. He'd have done a job on Doku, better than any player we have in the squad, and similarly I'd like to see him up against Gakpo on Saturday. He's the best one on one defender we have.
7

Mariner1974 added 15:52 - Jan 23
If he's not 100% though after the hamstring injury I'd rather save him for Southampton and rest of the season!
6

Bazza8564 added 16:14 - Jan 23
With Sammy and Conor out it does open the door for Julio to play centrally (if we have a back four rather than five) with maybe Jack C left and Jaden right, and Liam centrally. It's a bit of a gamble but what do we have to lose? We sit back in a five we will be overrun, if we keep a traditional shape of 4231 we do at least have the opportunity to push on and assert ourselves
0

blueboy1981 added 16:43 - Jan 23
Is our Treatment Room a 5 Star Hotel ? - or are we an all too easy Club to sign (and hopefully play for occasionally) for ?
We do seem to have more than our fair share of recurring Visits to our Treatment Room - not just this Season either …. !!!
Whatever happened to the Matty Hollands example at our Club ?
-9

MK1 added 17:46 - Jan 23
Our bench will be very strong once they are all fit.
0

MVBlue added 20:48 - Jan 23
Please start Tzunzebe
0

Leejames99 added 21:27 - Jan 23
Muric
Tunazbe
O-Shea c
Burgess
Davis
Phillips
Cajuste
Ensico
Phillogene
Hutchinson
Delap
That be my starting line up if 3 - 4 - 3 or Godfrey in for Phillips if playing wingback.

Just my opinion
-2

Bluearmy_81 added 02:17 - Jan 24
Muric- you lost me right there… Why? None of the goals vs Man City were Walton’s fault?!
1

Linkboy13 added 10:32 - Jan 25
Any goalkeeper would struggle with a bunch of manikins in front of him. I think the physicality of the Premier league is starting to tell on the players especially Sam Morsy who started so well and he is so vital to the team.
0


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