Birmingham City head into their crucial New Year's Day fixture against Watford with a squad stretched to its limits, but there is a glimmer of hope regarding a key defender's fitness.
Mixed News on the Injury Front
The Blues, who are currently without a win in six matches, have been handed a potential boost with the news that left-back Alex Cochrane is improving from an ankle injury. Assistant coach Ben Petty confirmed the Brighton loanee is in contention for the trip to Vicarage Road on Thursday.
"Alex is improving day by day," Petty stated. "It's taken a little bit longer to settle than we would have hoped, his ankle, but we're hopeful that he can be involved on Thursday if we can get him training tomorrow and Wednesday and he comes through it unscathed."
Cochrane has missed the last three games, forcing centre-back Eiran Cashin to fill in at left-back during Monday's 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Significant Absences Confirmed for Hornets Clash
However, the news is not positive for winger Demarai Gray, who has been definitively ruled out of the Watford match. Gray has sustained a calf issue, with Petty confirming the player will likely miss the next two games at a minimum.
"I think Demarai will miss the game on Thursday," Petty said. "He's picked up a calf injury, so we have to handle him with care. I know he'll probably miss the next two games for sure."
The Blues' selection woes are compounded by suspension and international duty. Defender Christoph Klarer will serve the second game of a three-match ban following his red card on Boxing Day. Midfielder Tommy Doyle completes his own three-game suspension and is also unavailable for Watford, though he will return for the Coventry City game on Sunday.
Furthermore, Bright Osayi-Samuel remains at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, who have progressed to the knockout stages, meaning his absence will continue for at least another week.
Mounting Pressure as Squad Depth Tested
This accumulation of injuries, suspensions, and international call-ups leaves Birmingham's squad looking threadbare as they seek to halt their winless run. The potential return of Cochrane, regarded as one of the side's more consistent performers since his 2024 arrival, would be a significant lift, particularly for offering an attacking threat from defence against an in-form Watford side.
The situation presents a major challenge for the coaching staff, who must find solutions from a depleted group to get Birmingham's Championship campaign back on track at the start of 2025.
