Rob Wildey discusses the two players who could offer Blues genuine options in the second half of the season despite seeing their involvment very limited so far.
Cohen Bramall
The Arsenal loanee may be the main beneficiary of Jonathan Grounds’ injury lay-off. It’s not yet clear how long the 29 year-old will be out for but if, as suspected, it’s medial collateral ligament damage, he could be sidelined for anything between two and seven weeks depending on the severity.
Bramall has come into his own in recent weeks with a decent performance at Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup fourth round. He was left out of the matchday squad for Tuesday’s win over Sunderland but was back on the bench this weekend at Sheffield Wendesday – replacing Grounds after 30 minutes.
The 21 year-old is likely to be given the nod for the replay against Huddersfield this Tuesday evening.
Although he’s more suited to a five man defence as a left wing back, there’s a belief that he is learning how to play as a left back as part of a back four.
Jason Lowe
After the departure of Harry Redknapp back in September, Lowe’s days at Blues seemed numbered. Quite clearly, Steve Cotterill didn’t fancy him although injuries also played their part.
With Blues firing blanks in the January transfer window, Lowe’s mid-season revival could continue beyond the FA Cup.
With Maikel Kieftenbeld and David Davis likely to pick up suspensions between now and May, Lowe could find himself thrust into the limelight. The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder certainly caused himself no harm with a man of the match performance at Huddersfield – so much so, he’s been named in both matchday squads since and was even bought on at Hillsbrough.
Lowe won’t be an automatic starter in this team but he is now putting himself forward as a genuine option outside of the first eleven. And if he can continue to impress when he does get his chance, he will certainly be firmly in Cotterill’s thoughts.
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