Birmingham City Manager Chris Davies Gives Injury Updates on Iwata and Kyogo
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has provided updates on the injuries of Tomoki Iwata and Kyogo Furuhashi, who were absent from the squad during the team's recent FA Cup match against Leeds United. The duo missed the thrilling encounter, which saw Birmingham City push the Premier League side to a penalty shoot-out before ultimately losing 4-2.
Details on the Injuries
In a post-match press conference, Davies clarified that both Iwata and Kyogo are dealing with minor injury issues. He stated, "Both injury issues but not big ones. I'm pretty sure they are both minor ones." This reassurance comes after the Japanese players were notable absentees in the FA Cup tie, where Patrick Roberts scored to cancel out Lukas Nmecha's opening goal, forcing extra-time.
Iwata, who famously scored a stunning goal against Newcastle United in the FA Cup last year, has been managing multiple niggles. Davies revealed that Iwata took a hit on the hip during a match against Oxford United two weeks ago and has been playing extensive minutes this season. "He's got a couple of things. He's been playing more minutes than anyone else and naturally he's taken a bit of a break, but we're confident that he's feeling better day by day, so I'm hoping he'll be OK moving forward," Davies added.
Impact on Team Performance
Despite the absence of Iwata and Kyogo, Birmingham City performed admirably against Leeds United, showcasing resilience and determination. The match ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat, but the team's effort without their key Japanese players was commendable. Iwata's only missed Championship start this season, when he was available, came in a midweek draw against West Bromwich Albion, where he was rested due to these ongoing issues.
Fans and analysts are now speculating on when Iwata might return to his position at right-back and how Kyogo's recovery will affect the squad's dynamics. The minor nature of the injuries suggests both players could be back in action soon, bolstering Birmingham City's lineup for upcoming fixtures.
