Birmingham City dealt big Demarai Gray injury blow - £5k-a-week Blues star could be big winner | OneFootball

Birmingham City's Demarai Gray has withdrawn from international duty with Jamaica after suffering a groin injury.

Demarai Gray is heading back to Birmingham City after picking up a groin injury whilst on international duty with Jamaica.

The 29-year-old returned to St Andrew’s this summer in a deal that was seen as a real coup for the Championship club, considering the career Gray has gone on to have since breaking through at Blues.

Whilst it has been a mixed campaign for Chris Davies’ side following their promotion, Gray has been a regular down the left flank, and he has generally impressed with his pace and creativity.

Birmingham City’s Demarai Gray set to be assessed after injury with Jamaica

The former Everton man has started in every Championship game for Birmingham this season, but that run could be under threat after he had to withdraw from international duty with Jamaica.

Gray was not involved for the Reggae Boyz as they were beaten in Curaçao on Friday night, a result that has impacted their chances of reaching the World Cup.

Birmingham Live has revealed that Gray is also going to miss Jamaica’s qualifier against Bermuda in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time, as he has travelled back to Birmingham to allow Blues to assess the injury and provide treatment.

It is still unclear at this stage just how bad the groin problem is, with Davies sure to provide an update on his key man ahead of the weekend fixture at home to Hull City.

Demarai Gray would be a big miss for Birmingham City - Keshi Anderson could benefit

Given Gray’s ability, there’s no denying it would be a big blow for Blues if he is forced to miss any serious amount of game time.

He is a player with real talent, and whilst a return of one goal and one assist in the Championship so far this season isn’t hugely impressive, Gray has been a constant threat with how he plays.

The former Leicester man has embraced the responsibility of being a big name in this Blues squad, and, along with Jay Stansfield, he can provide an x-factor in the final third, even if he hasn’t done so on a consistent basis so far.

Nevertheless, his absence would hurt the team, but Davies and the recruitment team were aggressive in the market to ensure the boss has a squad that can deal with the demands of the Championship.

If Gray is injured for a lengthy period, however, Keshi Anderson would be the likely beneficiary.

He is a player that Davies trusts after his contribution to Blues’ record-breaking title win last season, in which he bagged seven goals and five assists in 37 League One games on the way to helping the team romp to the third tier title.

The 30-year-old may not boast the star quality of Gray, but he is a very effective winger, and one who has the pace to stretch the game.

As such, the £5k-a-week wideman (as per Capology's estimates) could be about to see his next big Blues opportunity arrive, albeit in disappointing circumstances for everyone connected with the club.

Anderson does have Championship experience under his belt from his time with Blackpool and Birmingham respectively, but has so far been reduced to a utility role at St Andrew's this term.

That's been in large part due to Gray's arrival on the left wing, as the veteran winger has somewhat become a victim of the club's burning ambition and deep pockets.

Birmingham City are yet to click in the final third this season

With Anderson having joined Blues following a spell at Blackpool, it’s fair to say his arrival was unheralded, and it wasn’t until Davies was appointed that his career at the club really got going.

Therefore, Davies will have no qualms about giving him a chance if Gray is absent, and Anderson’s return to fitness could be perfectly timed if the summer signing is set for a spell out.

Either way, the Blues chief will have been considering changes in the final third anyway, as Birmingham aren’t clicking, which is backed up by the side scoring just eight goals in nine games.

For a combination of reasons, the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Marvin Ducksch and Lewis Koumas haven’t lived up to expectations after joining in the previous window, and Davies still doesn’t know his best attacking unit.

Given the variety of options, players may have to wait to take their chance, but it appears a door may have just opened for Anderson.

Even though the 30-year-old may not have the pedigree of some of his competitors for a shirt, he has credit in the bank with Davies - and if Gray does have to sit out a few games, Anderson will believe he can help solve Birmingham’s attacking issues.