Demarai Gray breaks injury silence and teases Birmingham City comeback | OneFootball

Demarai Gray has been absent since coming off in the first half of Birmingham's 1-1 draw with Derby County in December

Demarai Gray has outlined Birmingham City’s upcoming FA Cup clash against Leeds United as a potential return date from injury.

The winger has missed the Blues’ last eight games due to a calf injury, with his last appearance coming on 26 December in a 1-1 draw with Derby County, in which he managed just 14 minutes before having to come off.

Gray has proven an important part of Chris Davies’ side since returning to St. Andrew’s in the summer from his stint in Saudi Arabia.

The forward came through the ranks of the Birmingham academy system, but departed in 2016 for Leicester City.

He has contributed five goals and four assists from 23 appearances in the Championship so far this season, with the Midlands outfit targeting promotion to the Premier League in their first year back in the second division.

Demarai Gray injury return timeline

Gray has claimed that his recovery process has been quite smooth, and that it has all gone according to plan so far, but that he isn’t quite ready to come back yet.

He has suggested the upcoming FA Cup fourth round game against Leeds on 15 February as a potential first match back from this injury issue.

"I'd say it's been quite a smooth rehab process," said Gray, via the club’s official YouTube channel.

"I've not really had any setbacks.

"I'm only a few weeks away.

"I'm trying to get back for the cup game.

"It's difficult not being able to play but hopefully I'll come back and pick up good momentum again."

Birmingham have two more league games before they host the Whites later this month in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Blues are currently 13th in the Championship table, leaving them five points adrift of the play-off places after 30 games played.

Their upcoming clashes without Gray could give them the opportunity to close that gap, with Davies’ side set to face Leicester City and West Brom at home.

First up is their clash against the Foxes, with the managerless side set to travel to St. Andrew’s for a 3.01pm kick-off on 7 February.

Demarai Gray return will be a big boost for Birmingham

Gray has proven a great addition to Davies’ side so far this season, so his return being so soon is a real boost for Birmingham.

The team could use his creative spark and attacking threat as they look to close the gap to the play-off places.

Losing him for a total of around 10 games is a big chunk of the campaign, and the Blues have earned just 12 points from the 21 available during his absence so far.

But they are still within touching distance of the top six, and his return should give the team a renewed belief that they can overcome that deficit to Wrexham.