Birmingham City midfielder Jhon Solis has been ruled out of the club's next two Championship away fixtures due to injury. Manager Chris Davies confirmed the 21-year-old will be sidelined for a week to 10 days, missing Wednesday's trip to Norwich City and Saturday's visit to Derby County.
Solis was absent from Sunday's 2-2 draw against Wolves after picking up a knock in the closing stages of the previous match against Southampton. Davies told Yahoo Sports UK, "Jhon just got a knock right at the end of the Southampton game. He's going to be a week to 10 days we think."
The Colombian's absence compounds existing midfield issues for Birmingham, who currently sit 10th in the Championship table with 7 points from their opening five games. Their record shows one win and four draws, with a goal difference of +1 after scoring 7 and conceding 6. They remain unbeaten but trail leaders Swansea City by four points.
How does Solis's absence affect Birmingham's midfield?
Birmingham's midfield resources are stretched thin. The club already has several players unavailable in that area of the pitch. Marc Leonard is currently sidelined according to the latest squad data, joining Max Bird, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Paik Seung-ho, and Tomoki Iwata on the injury list.
Davies acknowledged the shortage after the Wolves match, saying, "We're a little bit lighter in midfield depth-wise because we've got a few in that area that are injured at the moment but I thought Paik and Tomoki lasted well." This leaves the manager with limited options as he prepares his team for two difficult away fixtures in quick succession. Fans can monitor the full list of unavailable players on the club's injuries page.
What has Jhon Solis brought to Birmingham City?
Solis joined Birmingham on a permanent basis this summer, signing a long-term contract that runs until June 2030. The move came after a successful loan spell at St Andrew's last campaign where he made a positive impression. He has already made six appearances in all competitions this season, with four of those coming in the league.
The young midfielder developed through the academy at Atlético Nacional before moving to Europe as a teenager with Girona. He made 61 appearances for the Spanish club before his switch to England. His performances have marked him as a key component in Davies's plans, and the decision to secure him on a full-time basis appears shrewd.
Where do Birmingham City stand in the Championship?
Birmingham's solid if unspectacular start has them positioned just outside the playoff places. They are one point behind West Ham United, who occupy the final playoff spot. Their form reads DDWDD, highlighting a tendency to draw games they might have hoped to win.
The immediate challenge is a trip to Carrow Road to face 12th-placed Norwich City on Wednesday, September 9th. They then travel to Pride Park to meet Derby County this weekend. These back-to-back away games represent a significant test of the squad's depth, especially in midfield. Supporters can view the complete fixtures schedule for the season ahead.
How will Chris Davies manage the squad?
With multiple midfielders unavailable, Davies must find solutions from within his existing group. The performances of Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata against Wolves offered some encouragement, but managing minutes across two games in four days will be difficult.
The manager's tactical approach may need adjustment without Solis's energy and technical ability. Birmingham's league standings show they are in a competitive pack, and points from these away fixtures could prove valuable. Securing positive results without several regulars would demonstrate the squad's resilience.
Birmingham City's next match is away to Norwich City on Wednesday night, with Solis definitely ruled out as he begins his recovery.
