Chris Davies breaks silence on FA situation that could stop Birmingham City star playing v Coventry | OneFootball

Alex Cochrane has had to follow strict concussion protocols after his recent injury

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has revealed that he expects Alex Cochrane to be a part of his travelling squad when they make the short trip across the West Midlands to take on Coventry City at the CBS Arena on Saturday lunchtime.

The two sides come into this encounter on the same number of points after the opening six encounters of the Championship season, despite the contrasting verdicts that had been given on both the Sky Blues and Birmingham's recent performances either side of the international break.

Frank Lampard's side remain one of two sides yet to taste defeat in the second tier, but have followed up a 7-1 battering of Queens Park Rangers on home turf with three successive draws against Oxford United, Norwich City and in the M69 derby against Leicester City last time out.

Blues' return to the division after breaking an array of records in League One last season has been well-documented through a number of statement signings that have all had varying levels of impact, adding to an already competent squad which had the aforementioned Cochrane at the heartbeat of such consistent performances.

It has been a mixed start to the season for the full-back and his side in general, although they returned to winning ways after three successive defeats without scoring through Lyndon Dykes' dramatic late winner against Swansea City on Saturday at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Cochrane was right in the thick of the action against Alan Sheehan's side to the point where it seemed unlikely that he would feature in CV6. However, Davies has since stated that isn't the case.

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies breaks Alex Cochrane silence amid injury doubts

Cochrane suffered a blow to the head after colliding with Swansea winger, Ronald, in the early stages of the second half, with blood seen pouring down his face at the time, before being substituted on 80 minutes for Eiran Cashin after a lengthy stoppage following another aerial duel.

As a result, Blues' medical staff and the left-back have had to adhere to the FA's Graduated Return To Play (GRTP) protocol which states players cannot partake in football, jumping or sprinting activities for at least 48 hours after the initial injury, before being advised to gradually return to action, at least on the training pitch for a subsequent 12-day period.

Players are normally given the all-clear up to three weeks after the injury, after a week when no ill-effects have been shown in contact-training activities. However, there are exemptions to this ruling through the protocol's Enhanced Care Settings, which imply that "a shorter timeframe for return to play (RTP) may be possible but only under strict supervision by the appropriate medical personnel as part of a structured concussion management programme."

Conducting his pre-match media duties, Davies revealed that he expects the 25-year-old to make a swift return to action.

“He’s gone through all the processes that he needs to. It’s obviously ongoing with that but I believe he’ll be available," the Blues boss said via Birmingham Live.

After being an ever-present since his move from Hearts last summer, Cochrane's maiden taste of Championship football is yet to truly take off due to form and injury.

He was sidelined for the encounters against Oxford United and Leicester City last month after suffering a minor knock, before enduring a tough afternoon against Million Manhoef of Stoke City in the 1-0 defeat at the Bet365 Stadium two weeks ago.

Cochrane returned to his dependable best against Swansea last time out though, with the addition of Jack Robinson into the starting XI having the desired effect for Davies and his rearguard after a handful of shaky performances.

It will also ease any concerns for Davies with regard to his overall selection, with Ethan Laird previously filling in the left-back void in Cochrane's recent absence, with his main deputy and only natural replacement in the role, Lee Buchanan, omitted from the club's current 25-man squad as he returns to full availability following a serious knee issue last December.