"The problem that you have" - Pundit reveals Jay Stansfield concern for Birmingham City | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer explains to FLW what he feels the impact of Jay Stansfield’s injury will be on Birmingham

Birmingham City had to pause their Vertu Trophy semi-final celebrations somewhat as they waited with bated breath for an update on the injured Jay Stansfield.

He has to be stretchered off in the game against Bradford City following a challenge by Romoney Crichlow, a match which the Blues eventually won 2-1.

It has since been revealed in a statement from the club that scans have picked up no indication of bone or ligament damage to the injury location.

We spoke exclusively to pundit and former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer, before this latest update, about the importance of Stansfield to Birmingham.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: “Birmingham City are sweating on the news of Jay Stansfield, who was denied a stonewall penalty, Bradford go up the other end score, and then to add insult to injury, he's picked up a serious injury.

“The talk is that it's not a bone or ligament issue. Listen, he scored another goal, he’s in unbelievable form, of course, you don't want him out.

“But as far as the league’s concerned, that's all wrapped up. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, they're promoted, but obviously they want him back.

“They're now in a cup final. They've got two games in hand on Wycombe, are in second place, and they’re six points clear with 17 games left.

“But obviously they want him fit and firing so hopefully won't be too long. They're waiting for the results of some scans to come back to have some definitive results and they'll be hoping that it's no ligament damage and it's just bone, it's just the defender had a heavy fall on his knee, which sometimes can be a very painful.

“So hopefully if it's not a ligament damage and it's not bone damage, he’ll be back pretty, pretty soon.

“Obviously, he is their talisman, he’s scored an awful lot of goals for them this season, but they have got a big squad and they have invested well and I think they'll be fine.

“As I said, the league as far as I'm concerned is done and dusted, but they're hoping obviously to go on and do a league and cup double, so, of course, you want your best players to be available so they'll be hoping that Jay would be back sooner rather than later.

“You know, the problem that you have at this stage of the season, you pick up an injury like that, if you're out for three to four weeks with that injury, it's the time it takes you to get back to speed. So, they'll be hoping it's nothing more than just bone and he’ll be back up and running within the next couple of weeks.”

Stansfield’s long-term health must be the priority

As Palmer says, six points clear at the top of League One with two games in hand, and no clear challenger to the throne based on form, it would take a monumental slip-up for the Blues not to get promoted this season.

That, of course, doesn’t stop Birmingham wanting their best player back, but there should be no element of rushing him back once a full diagnosis is available.

The Stansfield signing will really come into its own when the Blues are fighting for an even footing in the Championship, the worst thing the club could do is risk him too early in the third tier and have that in some way impact the his readiness for next season.