Birmingham City’s return to the Championship has been anything but dull, with drama unfolding both on and off the pitch as the 2025-2026 season gets into full swing. The Blues, fresh off a record-breaking League One campaign, have faced unexpected challenges and promising developments as they gear up for their next big test against Stoke City. From a bizarre fox invasion at St Andrew’s to a flurry of injuries and high-profile signings, there’s no shortage of talking points for fans and pundits alike.
Let’s rewind to the summer, where Birmingham City made headlines by clinching the League One title with a staggering 111 points—a feat that sent expectations soaring for the new campaign. Club management wasted no time bolstering the squad, splashing out in the transfer window to bring in the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray, and Bright Osayi-Samuel. The ambition was clear: build on momentum and push for back-to-back promotions.
But as any seasoned football fan knows, the beautiful game is rarely straightforward. Just days before the Championship opener, St Andrew’s grounds staff faced a problem no one could have predicted. Local foxes, lured by the scent of blood left on the turf after Tommy Fogarty suffered a head injury in a pre-season friendly against Solihull Moors, tore up a section of the pitch. Chris Long, the club’s head groundsman, recounted the ordeal to Blues+: “When we played Solihull Moors in the friendly game we had a head injury which left blood on the pitch. On Monday morning, we’re coming through Arthur’s Area there and there was just a huge gaping hole and sand pit. Where the head injury was, they obviously got a scent of the blood. My heart dropped considerably because we had obviously got the Forest game on the Saturday. Tidied it up and two days later they came back and dug it up again. We ended up going with a thick plastic carpet with fibres woven into it to replicate a stitch pitch like the one we’ve got and I think, touch wood, we have got over the issue.”
Despite the chaos, the pitch was restored to playing condition in time for the friendly against Nottingham Forest and, more importantly, for the season opener against Ipswich Town. The Blues emerged unscathed from the ordeal, with the surface holding up for the crucial first home fixture.
Birmingham’s start to the season has been solid, if not spectacular. After four matches, Chris Davies’ side sits in 10th place with seven points—an impressive haul considering the caliber of opposition faced, including two recently relegated Premier League sides and a tough trip to Blackburn Rovers. The squad’s depth has been tested early, with a string of injuries threatening to derail the club’s momentum.
Jay Stansfield, the club’s record £15 million signing and a key figure in attack, suffered an ankle injury in the EFL Cup clash against Port Vale on August 26. The 22-year-old forward, who had already netted three goals this season after a prolific 23-goal campaign last year, was forced to miss the Blues’ 2-0 defeat at Leicester City. Fans were understandably frustrated, questioning the wisdom of bringing Stansfield on late in a cup tie—a decision that backfired when he hobbled off after a collision while trying to block a clearance.
Thankfully, fears of a long-term absence have been allayed. According to manager Chris Davies, “It’s not a long-term thing, that’s what I will say. It’s one of those things that we’ll see week by week without putting too much pressure on a date to get back. He’ll try his best, as always, but it’s just unfortunate.” Reports from Football League World further suggest that Stansfield may be fit enough to feature against Stoke City, providing a timely boost as Birmingham look to sharpen their attack.
Sky Sports EFL pundit Lee Hendrie echoed the optimism, telling Football League World, “He's going to be a big player for them this season. I have no doubts that Jay Stansfield will continue to do what he has done so far, and that is be a big hit at the club. I think there were fears that he could have a longer-term injury, which doesn't seem to be the case and the facts at the moment. Happy days for Birmingham, they'll be over the moon with that. Hopefully he will be fit for the next game because, although they've got a big squad of players, I think he is one of the big players.”
Stansfield’s potential return couldn’t come at a better time. The Blues are bracing for a stern test against Stoke City, one of the early pace-setters in the Championship, having won three of their first four matches. The Potters’ only slip came against West Bromwich Albion, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash at the bet365 Stadium.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Birmingham in the opening weeks. Lee Buchanan, eight months into his recovery from a knee injury, is still “months away” from a full comeback. Manager Chris Davies remains hopeful that the full-back will be fit towards the end of the year, but stresses the need for a phased return to training before Buchanan can be considered for selection. Scott Wright, another wide player, faces an even longer spell on the sidelines after aggravating a previous knee injury. With Wright out, the Blues have moved decisively in the market, bringing in Demarai Gray, Lewis Koumas, and Patrick Roberts to shore up the flanks.
Gray, a boyhood Birmingham fan and marquee summer signing, has already made his presence felt. He’s contributed two assists in all competitions and leads the team in progressive passes (29), underlining his importance to Chris Davies’ tactical setup. However, Gray’s own fitness has been under scrutiny after he missed Jamaica’s World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago during the international break. His status for the Stoke City game remains uncertain, but there’s no denying his impact when available.
Beyond the injury woes, Birmingham’s recruitment strategy has drawn plenty of plaudits. The club’s willingness to invest in established talent like Furuhashi and Osayi-Samuel, coupled with ambitious contract offers, signals a clear intent to compete at the top end of the table. As of early September, the Blues’ blend of youth and experience seems to be paying dividends, with the squad showing resilience in the face of adversity.
With the international break now in the rearview mirror, all eyes turn to Saturday’s showdown with Stoke City. Will Stansfield make his much-anticipated return and add to his already impressive goal tally? Can Gray shake off his niggle and pull the strings in midfield? And will Birmingham’s patched-up pitch and patched-up squad hold firm against one of the Championship’s in-form teams?
For now, Birmingham City fans can take heart from their team’s fighting spirit and the positive news on the injury front. The campaign is still young, and with key players on the mend and new signings settling in, the Blues look well-placed to keep the drama coming—on and off the pitch.
