Mark Venus has provided clarification regarding Siriki Dembele’s absence from the Birmingham City squad.

Mark Venus has disclosed that Siriki Dembele was absent from Birmingham City’s recent defeat to Middlesbrough due to an injury. The Ivorian winger, who sustained a foot injury, was not included among the substitutes for the match. Dembele’s absence coincided with Riley McGree’s decisive goal in a match that lacked significant action at St Andrew’s. Birmingham’s loss, their fourth in five games, places them 21st in the Championship standings, just one point above the relegation zone ahead of their upcoming fixture against Watford.

Venus elaborated on Dembele’s injury, stating: “He’s got an injury. He’s got some stitches in his foot through a clash. I don’t know how long he will be out but he’s got a few stitches in his foot.”

In recent weeks, Dembele has often been utilized as a substitute. While he initially impressed under Tony Mowbray’s management, his performance has declined over the past month. Following a lackluster start against Hull, he was left unused on the bench during the defeat to Millwall. Although Dembele has scored six goals for Birmingham this season, he hasn’t found the net since Mowbray’s first match against Swansea on January 13th.

With Krystian Bielik already sidelined for the Watford match, Dembele is expected to join him on the sidelines until after the international break. However, Birmingham will welcome back captain Dion Sanderson after he served a three-game suspension.