Blues News

Birmingham City loan watch

|
Image for Birmingham City loan watch

Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola has confirmed he is ‘running the rule` over the entire squad, including the academy players and players currently out on loan.

Blues currently have six players out on loan at other clubs. Rob Wildey looks at how they are faring.

CHARLEE ADAMS – KILMARNOCK
On loan until: 14 January 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2017
Apps during loan spell: 7

Having broken into the first team under Gary Rowett at the back end of last season, the club had big plans for central midfielder Adams. His downfall was the array of players in front of him in the pecking order. I wouldn`t be surprised to see Adams` loan deal extended and an one year extension added to his contract at St. Andrews.

CHARIE COOPER – FOREST GREEN ROVERS
On loan until: 9 January 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2017
Apps during loan spell: 0

Cooper, son of former Blues favourite Mark, is yet to appear in the first team for Blues. The promise that surrounded his time in the development squad led to his loan move to Forest Green. Zola won`t know a great deal about the midfielder so will more than likely have his scouting team reporting back.

ANDREW SHINNIE – HIBERNIAN
On loan until: 31 May 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2018
Apps during loan spell: 11 (1 goal)

‘Shinniesta`, as he known to Blues fans, was shipped out on loan to Scottish club Hibernian. After being a key part of Gary Rowett`s early days at the club, Shinnie lost his place in the team to loanee Jon Toral and Diego Fabbrini. Shinnie clearly has ability but is often seen as too lightweight in the middle of the park. His style best suits the number ten role. Zola will be well clued up on his fortunes at Hibs, which have been mixed.

KOBY ARTHUR – CHELTENHAM TOWN
On loan until: 2 January 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2017
Apps during loan spell: 3

Arthur was meant to be the next big thing at Blues when made his first team breakthrough in 2013. Amid reports of Premier League interest, Arthur signed a new contract at the club, which expires this coming summer. The problem with Arthur has been his failure to stamp down his authority in one position. He has played in the number ten role, the wide midfield role, the central midfield role and has been decent, but not prolific in any. This could be the last chance saloon for the 20 year-old.

NICOLAI BROCK-MADSEN – PEC ZWOLLE
On loan until: 30 June 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2019
Apps during loan spell: 3 (2 goals)

The Danish striker was signed by Gary Rowett from Randers back in August 2015 for around half-a-million pounds. He was thrust into the limelight earlier than planned after injury to Clayton Donaldson left him as the only recognised striker. Frankly, he was an experiment that didn`t work and his progress seemed to stall which led to his loan move to PEC Zwolle. Brock-Madsen has two-and-a-half years left on his Blues contract but is likely to move on this summer.

ALEX JONES – PORT VALE
On loan until: January 2017
Contracted at Blues until: 30 June 2017
Apps during loan spell: 20 (10 goals)

Jones is the one loan player who will give Blues a tough decision in the summer. His loan will probably be extended until the end of the season but his impressive goal scoring form at Vale Park means that it`ll be hard for Blues to let him go. The fans certainly want to see him given a chance in the new year – but whether Zola is thinking along the same lines is unclear.

Share this article