Exclusive: New update emerges on Paik Seung-ho's situation at Birmingham City | OneFootball

The South Korean midfielder suffered a potentially significant injury setback away at Middlesbrough last week

Birmingham City are seeking further detailed medical opinion on Paik Seung-ho’s shoulder injury, Football League World understands.

The South Korean midfielder has been a key player for the Championship outfit throughout his near two years at St. Andrew's, and has missed just five league matches for Blues since his arrival in January 2024.

But after just five minutes of City's clash with Middlesbrough last weekend, the 28-year-old was withdrawn with an injury issue, which is leading manager Chris Davies sweating over Paik's availability for the near future.

Birmingham City receive Paik Seung-ho injury update

FLW understands that Birmingham have received one prognosis on the knock suffered by the South Korea international.

But they are keen to nail down the issue and are awaiting further reports before deciding if, and when, the midfielder can return to action.

Paik was injured during the opening seconds of last week’s 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

He was taken off immediately amid fears that he might require surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

Birmingham have received one piece of feedback but are waiting for a further opinion before making a decision.

If positive, it could mean that the 28-year-old’s absence could be measured in weeks rather than months.

And that will come as a major boost to boss Chris Davies after the player began to enjoy some of the best form of his career.

He had found the net three times this season and was fast becoming one of the first names on the team-sheet.

They are hoping to receive clarity on the issue over the weekend and are likely to take action on the likely recovery plan when those details are forwarded to them.

Birmingham City have enough depth to cover potential Paik Seung-ho loss - But they could do with him fit

Paik arrived at Birmingham in early 2024 after his contract at Jeonbuk Hyundai expired, and whilst coming from the K League 1 could've brought questions in regard to his quality, his pedigree as a youngster stretched to him spending time at La Masia - Barcelona's academy - for six years, so it could never be argued that Paik didn't have technical ability.

And he's made one of the two slots in central midfield for Birmingham his own, not only under Chris Davies but previous bosses Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett too in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign, so many coaches have seen what he brings to the table.]

Davies will not want to lose that from his engine room for any amount of time, but the silver lining is that he has other good options to choose from if he needs to, with Tommy Doyle, Tomoki Iwata and Marc Leonard all in contention to start against Norwich City next Saturday if Paik is out.

That kind of quality is what Birmingham have lacked over the previous years before they were relegated to League One, but regardless of that, there will be much hope among the club and the fanbase that Paik's absence won't be too long.