Birmingham City's Forgotten Man Lee Buchanan Impresses Chris Davies in Training
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has revealed that the club's forgotten man, Lee Buchanan, has made a strong impression during training sessions as he works his way back from a serious knee injury. The full-back has not featured in a match for Birmingham City since late December 2024 due to the significant setback, but his recent efforts have caught the eye of the coaching staff.
Return to Full Training After 14-Month ACL Injury
Lee Buchanan is now back in full training, marking a crucial milestone 14 months after suffering an ACL injury that forced him to miss all of Birmingham City's matches throughout the entire 2025 season. This lengthy absence has kept him out of action, but his rehabilitation progress is now showing positive signs on the training ground.
Buchanan has been included in Birmingham City's EFL squad for the second half of the current season, providing a potential pathway back into the first-team setup. With fellow left-backs Kai Wagner dealing with a shoulder injury and Alex Cochrane currently unavailable, Buchanan's return could not come at a more opportune time for the squad.
Davies Praises Buchanan's Eagerness and Strength
"Lee Buchanan is doing really well," said Chris Davies. "We're going to look to get him some minutes for the under-21s. I've really liked the look of him in training. He's been back in, looking eager and strong, so I'm encouraged by that."
The manager highlighted that there are plenty of second-string games available for Buchanan to build his match fitness in the short term. Birmingham City's under-21s are scheduled to face Middlesbrough at The Riverside on Monday, followed by a double-header against Manchester United and Chelsea over the upcoming weekend.
Injury History and Cautious Approach
Chris Davies is acutely aware that Buchanan has not been available for more than a few weeks since the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, which predates his appointment as manager. The full-back sustained a calf injury during Davies' first pre-season in charge, sidelining him for four months before he suffered the knee injury in the final game of 2024 against Blackpool.
"I don't think Lee has had availability for a month for quite some time," Davies added. "He has looked strong. We pushed him quite quickly back into it last time because of the injury to Alex Cochrane. I'm hoping we can see him available for the squad in the next few weeks, to be perfectly honest."
Potential First-Team Return on the Horizon
With the way Buchanan is training, Davies expressed hope that the player would be ready if the team faces further injury issues, such as with Kai Wagner. "There'll be a clamour for Lee Buchanan because he's got the experience and the qualities to do it," Davies noted, emphasizing the defender's potential value to the squad.
This development represents a significant boost for Birmingham City as they navigate the challenges of the season, with Buchanan's return offering additional depth and experience in the defensive lineup. Fans will be eagerly watching his progress in the coming weeks as he aims to make his long-awaited comeback to competitive football.
