Luton Town eye forgotten Birmingham City star | OneFootball

Luton Town sent scouts to watch Birmingham City's Lee Buchanan, who will be looking to get his career back on track this summer

Luton Town sent scouts to watch Birmingham City's fringe players in their friendly win on penalties against Barcelona on Friday night, including Lee Buchanan, whose future at St Andrew's is uncertain after the arrival of Kristoffer Lund.

The seven-capped USMNT international arrived last week from Palermo and was introduced to the Birmingham crowd ahead of kick-off against Barca.

Buchanan came on as a substitute in that game, replacing Alex Cochrane, who is set to battle with Lund over the starting left-back spot. Indeed, it was the 26-year-old's ankle injury in January which prompted manager Chris Davies to add an extra full-back in Kai Wagner.

The new arrival spent last season on loan at Bundesliga outfit Köln, and played a key part in their top-flight campaign, starting 26 times out of his 33 appearances.

But Lund's presence in the squad now makes it even more difficult for Buchanan to make a long-awaited return to the Birmingham fold, and another side, perhaps Luton, will likely be tasked with continuing his return from a lengthy ACL injury this season.

Lee Buchanan's injury-plagued last two years at Birmingham City

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Buchanan arrived at Birmingham in the summer of 2023. Like Lund, he'd spent the previous season in the Bundesliga, playing for Werder Bremen after leaving Derby County, the club he came through the academy at, upon their exit from administration.

He made 32 league appearances for the Blues in his first season, taking his overall second-tier tally to 102. However, the campaign ended in relegation, with Birmingham falling into League One. From the end of that 2023/24 campaign, Buchanan has made just four first-team appearances.

A couple of calf injuries restricted his time on the field at the start of the 2024/25 record-breaking third-tier campaign at St Andrew's. He didn't make his first league appearance until mid-December, scoring in a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers.

However, by the end of the month, he was sidelined again, rupturing his ACL. He hasn't appeared for the first team since he suffered that injury. He did make appearances for Birmingham's under-21s last season, but experienced niggles which stopped him from making a full comeback.

Lee Buchanan set for Birmingham City departure, with Luton Town interested

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According to Alex Dicken of the Birmingham Mail, Chris Davies isn't in any hurry to see Buchanan leave Birmingham this summer, albeit a departure seems likely now that Lund has signed.

The 25-year-old went through pre-season unscathed this summer, which is a massive step in his road to a full recovery.

Speaking on Buchanan, Davies said, "One thing I will say is that Lee has been training very consistently and very well. He’s looked strong.”

“It’s been really hard for Lee because he’s just broken down in the two years I’ve been here with a couple of nasty injuries, but he’s strung together a pre-season now which is really promising.

“I’ll speak to Lee in the coming weeks. For him, regardless of anything right now, the main focus has to be to keep getting fitter and stronger, and then we’ll work out what the right path forward is.”

The Birmingham Mail goes on to state that Luton sent assistant manager Chris Powell, who was a left-back in his day, to watch Buchanan and some of his fringe teammates against Barcelona.

The 25-year-old still has two years remaining on his Blues deal, so the club are in no rush to sell him, but a loan further down the pyramid would do more for his progression after this injury than staying as a back-up at St Andrew's.

Lee Buchanan would be a great addition to Luton Town this summer

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Luton will be looking to use their momentum generated under manager Jack Wilshere in the latter stages of last season to go one better and finish in the top six at least this time round.

Under Wilshere, several young stars were given an extended run out in the senior side, including left-back Joe Johnson, who replaced Cohen Bramall at Kenilworth Road as the campaign went on.

The 20-year-old would then share the role with club captain Kal Naismith, who is primarily a left-footed centre-back. Bramall has since departed to MK Dons, so Johnson is the only out-and-out left-back in the side.

Johnson will likely be earmarked for more minutes this season, but Luton will still need depth there, and Buchanan would be a smart option for the Hatters this summer.

The Birmingham man won't be expected to come in and play 46 league games this season after mustering just three in his last two campaigns, so Johnson will still have a fair shot at progressing in that role.

Meanwhile, Buchanan will get some much-needed game time in one of League One's top teams heading into the new campaign, playing under a manager who knows what it's like to have lengthy injuries, so he'd be able to offer good advice to him as he continues his return to fitness.