Marc Roberts, Gary Gardner and Dan Crowley could return to Birmingham side

Posted Thursday, March 05, 2020 by PA

Defender Marc Roberts and midfielders Gary Gardner and Dan Crowley are expected to return to the Birmingham starting line-up against Reading on Saturday.

The trio were rested for the FA Cup defeat at Leicester in midweek, with Gardner and Crowley making only late substitute appearances.

Jude Bellingham was also given some time off on Wednesday night and the highly-rated 16-year-old might be another to get the nod from Blues boss Pep Clotet.

Fellow midfielder Jeremie Bela (hamstring) is out for around a month although winger Jacques Maghoma is nearing a return from a quad injury.

Reading will assess the fitness of captain Liam Moore ahead of the trip to St Andrew’s.

The defender missed the Championship win over Barnsley due to illness and was subsequently an unused substitute on Tuesday night as the Royals went out of the FA Cup against Sheffield United.

Few changes are expected at the weekend after Reading boss Mark Bowen named a strong team for that fifth-round tie.

Full-back Chris Gunter (groin), striker Lucas Joao (hamstring) and forward Lucas Boye (hernia) are not expected to return, while defender Tom McIntyre (head) is still a doubt.