Key Birmingham star stretchered off after controversial moment in potential promotion blow
Birmingham boss Chris Davies is concerned about star forward Jay Stansfield, who was taken to hospital with a potentially season-ending injury. The striker left the pitch on a stretcher against Bradford in their 2-1 victory in Vertu Trophy semi-final at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night. Stansfield hit the deck after being brought down by Romoney CrichlowRex But while fans are dreaming of Wembley glory on April 13, it remains to be seen whether Stansfield will be part of the squad. It was Stansfield who broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time to bring up his 21st goal this season in all competitions. But his evening came to an end early in the second half with a suspected knee knock in a hugely controversial moment. Stansfield, who joined from Fulham in a deal rising to £20million last summer, thought he had won his side a penalty after being clipped by Romoney Crichlow inside the box. The Blues’ appeals were waved away by the official – despite replays clearly showing there was contact made. Bradford subsequently went up the other end as they launched a swift counter-attack to equalise through Bobby Pointon in the 52nd minute. To make matters worse for the hosts, Stansfield failed to get up after appearing to land awkwardly on his knee, with medics quickly rushing to his aid. And after seven minutes, the 22-year-old made his way off the pitch on a stretcher – which could have huge ramifications on the rest of Birmingham’s season. Birmingham boss Chris Davies confirmed after the match that the centre-forward had made his way to the hospital to determine the severity of his knock. Davies says Stansfield is undergoing tests but admits the early signs don’t look good. Stansfield ended up leaving the pitch on a stretcherRex On the incident which led to Stansfield’s injury and Bradford’s equaliser, Davies told talkSPORT: “It was so disappointing. There’s one thing you say about VAR, but with that you would’ve got that and everything else. “It was disappointing because, to add sort of insult to injury, they went up and scored. “But it is what it is, we have to take it, obviously we’re more concerned about Jay more than anything else but we managed to bounce back from that.” Asked about Stansfield’s fitness, Davies added: “I don’t know, I think they’re still waiting for checks and hospital checks and everything like that, that’s all getting done now. “It’s a very, very painful thing that he’s got and we don’t know the severity of it. At this stage it doesn’t look good, but we have to wait and see.” But Tom Brady-backed Blues ultimately had the last laugh on the night with substitute Lyndon Dykes scoring an 88th minute winner after heading home into the bottom left corner. Striker Stansfield could now be set for a spell on the sidelines following his injuryPA Birmingham’s victory over the Bantams means that they could end the season with two pieces of silverware. Tipped as one of the favourites to win League One following their relegation from the Championship last season, they sit six points clear at the top of the table with two games to spare. But attention will now turn towards Stansfield’s knock and whether he is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Birmingham forward Alfie May meanwhile remarked to Sky Sports: “It’s not nice to see. He’s our star man. “He scores goals, he’s a great finisher, and to see him stretchered off, we all pray that it’s nothing serious. “It’s horrible to see, but listen, we’re all here and we’re all going to be supporting him and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Birmingham boss Chris Davies is concerned about star forward Jay Stansfield, who was taken to hospital with a potentially season-ending injury.
The striker left the pitch on a stretcher against Bradford in their 2-1 victory in Vertu Trophy semi-final at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night.
But while fans are dreaming of Wembley glory on April 13, it remains to be seen whether Stansfield will be part of the squad.
It was Stansfield who broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time to bring up his 21st goal this season in all competitions.
But his evening came to an end early in the second half with a suspected knee knock in a hugely controversial moment.
Stansfield, who joined from Fulham in a deal rising to £20million last summer, thought he had won his side a penalty after being clipped by Romoney Crichlow inside the box.
The Blues’ appeals were waved away by the official – despite replays clearly showing there was contact made.
Bradford subsequently went up the other end as they launched a swift counter-attack to equalise through Bobby Pointon in the 52nd minute.
To make matters worse for the hosts, Stansfield failed to get up after appearing to land awkwardly on his knee, with medics quickly rushing to his aid.
And after seven minutes, the 22-year-old made his way off the pitch on a stretcher – which could have huge ramifications on the rest of Birmingham’s season.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies confirmed after the match that the centre-forward had made his way to the hospital to determine the severity of his knock.
Davies says Stansfield is undergoing tests but admits the early signs don’t look good.
On the incident which led to Stansfield’s injury and Bradford’s equaliser, Davies told talkSPORT: “It was so disappointing. There’s one thing you say about VAR, but with that you would’ve got that and everything else.
“It was disappointing because, to add sort of insult to injury, they went up and scored.
“But it is what it is, we have to take it, obviously we’re more concerned about Jay more than anything else but we managed to bounce back from that.”
Asked about Stansfield’s fitness, Davies added: “I don’t know, I think they’re still waiting for checks and hospital checks and everything like that, that’s all getting done now.
“It’s a very, very painful thing that he’s got and we don’t know the severity of it. At this stage it doesn’t look good, but we have to wait and see.”
But Tom Brady-backed Blues ultimately had the last laugh on the night with substitute Lyndon Dykes scoring an 88th minute winner after heading home into the bottom left corner.
Birmingham’s victory over the Bantams means that they could end the season with two pieces of silverware.
Tipped as one of the favourites to win League One following their relegation from the Championship last season, they sit six points clear at the top of the table with two games to spare.
But attention will now turn towards Stansfield’s knock and whether he is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Birmingham forward Alfie May meanwhile remarked to Sky Sports: “It’s not nice to see. He’s our star man.
“He scores goals, he’s a great finisher, and to see him stretchered off, we all pray that it’s nothing serious.
“It’s horrible to see, but listen, we’re all here and we’re all going to be supporting him and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
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