Our writers predict two Birmingham City changes Chris Davies will make for Bristol Rovers

Chris Davies was given food for thought by some of his fringe players during Birmingham City’s 2-1 win over Exeter City on Tuesday.

Blues’ XI for their Vertu Trophy last-32 victory included eight changes from last weekend’s League One triumph over Barnsley. One of the players who returned to the XI, Keshi Anderson, netted the deciding goal at St James Park.

Blues are set to be without left-back Alex Cochrane for the first time in a League One game this season. Davies welcomed back Lee Buchanan in his place at Exeter and the 23-year-old came through an hour unscathed after four months of injury troubles.

READ MORE: Birmingham City and the Vertu Trophy, ball numbers and possible opponents in last 16 draw

READ MORE: Jay Stansfield puts aside personal goal after Birmingham City's 'kick in the teeth'

Bristol Rovers are next up in League One in Blues' final home game before Christmas. Here is how our writers see Davies lining his troops up…

READ: 'Exceptional’ forgotten man is ready to answer Blues' SOS call

READ: Taylor Gardner-Hickman outlines stance on permanent Blues transfer

Alex Dicken

There is a selection call for Davies to make at left-back and my hunch is that two games in five days might be too much for Lee Buchanan after a string of injuries. With that in mind, I think Davies will opt for Ethan Laird at left-back.

The midfield of Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata picks itself and three of the front four do, too. Keshi Anderson, Jay Stansfield and Alfie May are all but certainties in attack.

Willum Willumsson is back at the training ground after illness and could retake his number 10 position after missing the last two games. Luke Harris might not have done enough in Willumsson’s absence to take his place permanently.

(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Bielik, Klarer, Davies, Laird; Iwata, Paik; Anderson, Willumsson, Stansfield; May

Brian Dick

Davies will go back to his first team for the visit of Bristol Rovers – and that means the return of the likes of Ryan Allsop, Christoph Klarer, Paik Seung-ho, Tomoki Iwata and Jay Stansfield. Those five can be locked in.

I’d expect Klarer to partner Ben Davies in the middle of the defence with Krystian Bielik on the right and Ethan Laird’s athleticism utilised at left back. Central midfield picks itself.

With Stansfield making an impact from a deeper position – and Alfie May finding his goal-scoring touch up front, it’s most likely they’ll remain ‘left wing’ and striker this weekend. That leaves two slots.

Keshi Anderson is proving himself to be a must-start – and doing very well on the right. All that remains is a choice between Willum Willumsson if he’s well, Luke Harris and potentially even Lyndon Dykes, if he’s recovered, playing behind May. I’ll go Thor.

(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Bielik, Klarer, Davies, Laird; Paik, Iwata; Anderson, Willumsson, Stansfield, May