The Nine Players Set to Miss Southampton vs Birmingham City: Updated Absence List
Southampton welcome Birmingham City to St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, with caretaker boss Tonda Eckert hoping to see an immediate response after the 3–2 loss to Millwall. But with a lengthy injury list still affecting the squad, he faces a tough assignment against a Birmingham side enjoying strong form — four wins from their last six and sitting just a point outside the play-off places.
On the other side, Blues manager Chris Davies confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the squad situation is unchanged, saying: “There’s nothing new to report in terms of injuries. Everyone is as they were.” Despite that, Birmingham still have several long-term absentees.
For Southampton, Leo Scienza was not mentioned by Eckert after missing the Millwall match due to illness — but Daily Echo reporter Alfie House reports he is expected to return to the starting XI.
With that clarified, here are the nine confirmed absentees ahead of the clash on the south coast.
Southampton Absentees
Mads Roerslev
The Danish right-back misses out again as he continues to recover from the knee injury suffered against Sheffield Wednesday last month. Eckert confirmed Roerslev “is going to take a little bit longer.”
He has made nine league appearances this season, with Tom Fellows likely to continue covering the right wing-back role.
Elias Jelert
Eckert used almost identical wording when asked about Jelert, who remains sidelined with a quad injury.
On loan from Galatasaray, the defender has not featured since late October after playing 70 minutes against Swansea. He has only three Championship appearances to his name so far and remains on the fringe at St Mary’s.
Shea Charles
Charles continues his recovery from a hamstring issue, and Southampton are still without Ross Stewart as well, whose tendon-linked hamstring injury against Derby County was more serious than first hoped.
Stewart is not expected back until the New Year, and given his injury history, his long-term recovery will be monitored carefully.
Birmingham City Absentees
Lee Buchanan
The Blues remain without Buchanan, who suffered a major knee injury against Blackpool last December. The left-back has been steadily working his way back, and recently told the Blue Rising podcast he is targeting a January return:
“When I’m outside and in the gym, I feel good. I’m on target for a return in January.”
Ethan Laird
Laird is also ruled out long-term due to the hamstring injury picked up against Coventry City in September. Davies confirmed he will not return to training until February at the earliest.
It’s another frustrating setback for the former Manchester United full-back, whose explosive style has contributed to repeated hamstring issues.
Scott Wright
Wright is nearing the end of his nine-month ACL recovery, but this match comes far too soon. He is expected back around the same time as Buchanan, though breaking into a competitive squad could prove difficult.
Willum Willumsson
The Icelandic midfielder has not featured since the defeat to Leicester in August and remains unavailable. The club has not disclosed the exact injury, but reports suggest he is only “weeks away” from returning. Still, with players like Patrick Roberts and Jay Stansfield ahead of him, earning minutes could be a challenge.
Summary
In total, nine players between the two sides will miss the St Mary’s showdown, with Southampton’s defensive depth particularly stretched. Birmingham may be in stronger shape heading in, but both clubs continue to deal with long-term injury concerns as the season intensifies.
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