John Eustace confirms significant Birmingham City injury setback | OneFootball

Birmingham City boss John Eustace has confirmed that Marc Roberts is unlikely to play before the World Cup break due to a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old had featured regularly under the new boss but he was forced off in the second half of the 3-2 win at West Brom earlier this month, which saw him miss the clash with Coventry last time out.

Roberts needed a scan to determine the full extent of the injury and Eustace told Birmingham Live that the news back from that wasn’t good, as the defender now gears up for a spell on the sidelines.

“I don’t think we will see him before the World Cup break if I am going to be honest. If we do it will be a plus. He has been in the middle of the two centre halves and the three of them have formed an excellent partnership. We have to move on and give someone else an opportunity.”

Blues are back in action against Sheffield United this weekend and they play 11 games before the break ahead of the tournament which begins in November.

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The verdict

This is obviously a real blow for Blues as Roberts is a solid, reliable option at the back and had been an important player this season.

So, there’s no getting away from the fact that he will be missed and it’s not come at a good time considering how busy the fixture list is going to be.

However, these things happen in football and, as Eustace says, it opens up a chance for someone else to step in and it’s down to those on the fringes to step up.