Birmingham boss Monk facing midfield crisis ahead of Swansea clash

Posted Thursday, August 16, 2018 by PA

Birmingham are short of midfield options for Swansea’s Sky Bet Championship visit on Friday night.

Craig Gardner is banned after being sent off at Middlesbrough, David Davis has a long-term ankle injury and Cheikh Ndoye rejoined Angers on a season-long loan on Thursday.

Loan signing Gary Gardner stands by for his league debut after joining from neighbours Aston Villa for the season.

Blues boss Garry Monk made 11 changes for the Carabao Cup defeat at Reading in midweek and Harlee Dean, Jacques Maghoma and Che Adams are among those set to return.

Dutch goalkeeper Erwin Mulder will make his first Swansea start after replacing the injured Kristoffer Nordfeldt against Preston last weekend.

Nordfeldt is expected to miss two to four weeks because of a groin injury.

Leroy Fer made a suprise return from the bench during the 1-0 win against Preston after missing six months with a ruptured Achiles.

Fer is likely to be involved as a substitute again as he builds up game-time, but Wilfried Bony has yet to rejoin first-team training following the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in February.