Birmingham City are facing a nervous end to the Championship season.
Since Tony Mowbray temporarily stepped back from his role as manager for medical reasons, Blues have taken just one point from six games.
That has seen them drop to 21st in the table. They are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Birmingham City have therefore acted this week, by bringing Gary Rowett back to St Andrew’s as interim manager until the end of the season.
However, if he is unable to turn things around quickly, the threat of relegation is a distinct possibility.
That is not sort of end to his first season as the club’s owner that Tom Wagner would have wanted.
But should they drop into League One, it is almost inevitable that some players will leave Birmingham City in the summer.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three players Wagner would surely be forced to sell in the event of relegation, right here.
Jordan James has already attracted attention from elsewhere
Back in the January transfer window, Jordan James was one Birmingham City player to attract attention from elsewhere.
Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Wolves both reportedly enquired about the midfielder. Meanwhile, Serie A side Atalanta were also said to have had bids rejected for the 19-year-old.
With James enjoying an impressive individual season, it is unlikely that such interest will disappear come the summer transfer window. Indeed, clubs will sense an opportunity if the Blues are relegated to League One. Should that happen, the fact James knows he can play at that higher level, combined with the spending power of those top-flight clubs, would surely make it nigh-on impossible to keep him at St Andrew’s.
Koji Miyoshi will be in the final year of his contract
Having joined Birmingham City back in the summer transfer window, Koji Miyoshi has been one of the club’s most effective creative outlets this season.
In 35 Championship appearances, he has scored five goals and provided five assists. That has shown he is capable of making an impact at this level, even in his first season in English football. However, the 26-year-old only signed a two-year deal last summer.
As a result, he will be in the final 12 months of his contract come the end of this season. As a result, this could represent the club’s last chance to cash in on him for a decent fee. Given his form may also attract interest from elsewhere, that could potentially combine to force Blues into a sale here.
Dion Sanderson is a leader for Birmingham City
After two loan spells with the club, Dion Sanderson completed a permanent move to St Andrew’s in the summer. Since then, he has been named club captain.
The defender often leads by example on the pitch, and has consistently shown he is more than good enough for this level. He also offers some useful versatility across the backline. As a result, he would surely be an appealing target for Championship clubs if Birmingham City go down.
Sanderson himself will want to be playing at the highest level possible too. With that in mind, it would be no huge surprise to see him depart St Andrew’s in the summer, in the event of relegation.