Mike Dodds has given his pre-match assessment to the media ahead of the Good Friday Sky Bet Championship fixture against Cardiff City.
MD on the injury updates
Patrick Roberts has done three or four sessions now with the group. We have to be mindful that he has had two hamstring injuries this season. We will continue to monitor his progress.
Corry Evans has been training full contact, Aji Alese has got some recent minutes with our Under-21s but will both be assessed ahead of the weekend.
Jack Clarke is out on the grass but will need more time. Bradley Dack is available.
Nazariy Rusyn took a contact injury against Southampton, he then had issues with his calf, but the reality is we won't see him till the end of the season.
It was also worst-case scenario for Jenson Seelt. Six to nine months we think. I really feel for him as he was finding his stride.
MD on recent fixtures
I was really disappointed with the QPR game but from that, the Lads have been really good in and around the training ground.
We have players filtering back in now from international duty and we’re ready for the run-in. We need results and need them quickly.
MD on Cardiff City
They are really organised, probably similar to QPR. They put bodies behind the ball and they are a serious threat from set-pieces.
We must be better with the ball. We have spoken about this a lot.
They are in-form at the moment, even if you put aside their derby game against Swansea City.
We will we need to be focused and prepared, which we will be.
MD on the international break
It is more difficult than you think. We have six or seven players away and we have to utilise the younger Lads to focus on the pre-game development.
However, it has been a good week in terms of the hard work and individual focus.
The general feel is really positive. The players have clarity on what we are trying to do and with bodies now coming back, it can only help.
MD on the Easter weekend
There two games are going to be really difficult. Cardiff are in good form and John (Eustace) is a brilliant coach at Blackburn Rovers.
Having watched a lot of his Birmingham games, you can see how well drilled his sides are.
If we are at our best, we can compete with every team in this league. We will go into every single game trying to pick up three points.
MD on Corry Evans
He brings a huge amount of experience, he really understands the game at a deep level.
He wants to play for a long time but when the day comes, I know he will be an unbelievable coach.
His influence around the dressing room has been missed, he is a great character and we’re delighted to have him back involved.
MD on Aji Alese’s new contract
Aji is an example of the positive side of our recruitment. A young player with a good pedigree.
When he has played, he has done really well for us, but his biggest frustration will be not doing that on a consistent level due to injuries.
We have a responsibility to keep pushing them to reach his full potential.