Birmingham vs Stoke City - Marc Roberts sidelined as Birmingham take on Stoke

Posted Monday, December 24, 2018 by PA

Birmingham will be without central defender Marc Roberts for the visit of Stoke after he was ruled out for several weeks with a calf injury.

Roberts suffered the injury 10 minutes into the December 15 2-2 draw at Blackburn when he was deputising for injured captain Michael Morrison.

Morrison had been sidelined with a hamstring injury but returned for the 3-0 win at Wigan on Saturday and should continue alongside Harlee Dean.

The hosts will be without long-term injury absentees David Davis (ankle) and Isaac Vassell (hip), although the latter has returned to training.

Stoke manager Gary Rowett, the former Birmingham boss, will check on the fitness of Erik Pieters.

The Dutch defender sustained a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Millwall and – if not fit – will be replaced by Bruno Martins Indi who came on as a substitute in that game.

Saido Berahino will look to start again after scoring the only goal of the game against Millwall but Rowett has leading scorer Benik Afobe who can come if needed after featuring as a substitute against the Lions.

With Stoke behind Birmingham on goal difference, Rowett knows a win against his old club could put the Potters on the fringe of the play-offs.