Birmingham City winger Keshi Anderson has said that the dressing room will be ‘buzzing’ to have players return from injury after the intentional break.
The Blues have started the season well, as they remain unbeaten in their first five games of the season. This is all despite having a number of key players out on the sidelines.
The likes of Ethan Laird, Siriki Dembele and Tyler Rovers have all missed parts or all of the start of the season through niggly injuries, whilst Alfie Chang is out long term with a knee injury.
Anderson himself has received a lot of praise recently for his own performances, none more so that his display against Millwall at the weekend.
Anderson expressed how delighted the team will be to have those players returning from injury, and Blues’ want to continue their fine form after the break.
What Keshi Anderson had to say
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Anderson said: “We have massive players out at the moment…Ethan, Dembs, Tyler who we haven’t seen much of yet. The boys will be buzzing to have them all back. The break is good for us all, mentally and physically, and then we go again with the handful of games coming up.
“I want to get back to full fitness, where I’m lasting the full 90-95 minutes, or 100 minutes as it is now with the added time. When I can finally get through the whole game without cramping up, that’d be nice! When you’re getting to the 40th minute, and your legs are going and you get tired, you want the break.
“Then in the second half, the later stages, that’s the most important part of the game and people switch off – you don’t want to be one of those players who is too tired, switches off and lets the team down. I’ll keep progressing through the next week, it’d be good to get more training done and then go into the Watford game.”
Anderson continued about how tiring and full on the Championship has been this season, but he is making the most of it and enjoying it.
“I enjoy football to the fullest, everyday – whether it’s in matches or in training. I’m here to do a job, I’m trying to do it to the best I can.
“Playing on the left, playing in the ten…the gaffer has put a lot of trust in me. I’ve played in every game in the Championship, so it’s just about getting that consistency, getting a bit fitter and lasting the full 90!
“My body’s in bits – it’s a tough graft! You put it in for the boys. Manny has come on last 5-10 minutes and done well against Millwall, Koji has come on and did well as well. Whether it’s me coming off and someone coming on, as long as we’re all contributing to the team, that’s the most important thing.”
Birmingham’s first game back after the break is against Watford.