"It’s a massive boost" - Reaction given to exclusive Birmingham City player update pre-Stoke City | OneFootball

FLW’s Birmingham City fan pundit has commented on the importance of Demarai Gray returning to training following a small injury.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have started their return to the Championship in positive fashion.

Chris Davies’ men have collected seven points from their opening four league games, winning two, drawing one and tasting their first defeat just before the international break at Leicester City.

The West Midlands outfit will be aiming to bounce back when they make a short trip to take on Stoke City, holding ambitions to rise up the table and contending for those promotion places.

Blues were bemoaned by supporters for a lack of creative spark in their defeat at the King Power Stadium almost a fortnight ago, and it looked to be going from bad to worse when Demarai Gray suffered a shoulder problem, raising doubts about his participation against the Potters.

But Football League World has exclusively revealed that Gray has returned to training and is set to be available for the meeting at the Bet365 Stadium.

With this news in mind, FLW’s Birmingham City fan pundit has expressed his thoughts on the importance of Gray being in the squad this weekend.

Birmingham City “massive boost” outlined amid Demarai Gray return

Speaking to Football League World, Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore has admitted it is a “massive boost” to see Demarai Gray be available for their clash at Stoke City, with the Jamaican international key to solving their creative woes in the final third.

Jason said: “A lot of people have questioned the Demarai Gray signing, but he’s been nothing short of superb, and he’s clearly shown a hunger that he wants to play for Blues, so the fact he plays, it’ll definitely be in Stoke’s thinking because of the quality he’s got.

"Let’s be honest, he’s a Premier League player, whether he was in Saudi Arabia for two years or not, he is still a Premier League player.

“So, I’m very happy he’s going to be playing and it’s not a long-term injury. It’s a massive boost for us because the more we keep him fit, the more of a danger we are because creativity is a bit of an issue, so having Demarai Gray is a big help.”

Birmingham City will be buoyed by Demarai Gray availability

Birmingham City are bound to be buoyed by Demarai Gray returning so soon, with that shoulder injury originally looking quite problematic.

But he has managed to shake off the complaint and Blues go into their clash with Stoke City much stronger than they would have without their wide option.

Gray has made a strong start to life back in the West Midlands, with his directness when running at defenders, his electric pace, and ability to be dangerous in the final third making him their standout creative option without Jay Stansfield.

The 29-year-old has already created five chances from the opening four games, and will be essential to the away side coming away with three points on Saturday afternoon.

It would also be a statement victory if Blues were to bounce back and be victorious given Stoke’s impressive start to the season, with West Brom the only team to hand them a defeat so far this term, which came just before the international break.