Why Manny Longelo and Junior Dixon were left out of Birmingham City's Austria camp
Manny Longelo and Junior Dixon have been omitted from Birmingham City's pre-season tour squad
Manny Longelo could complete a transfer away from Birmingham City after being left out of the team’s training camp in Austria.
The left-back hasn’t played for Blues since January and Barnsley have made a bid to sign him this week. Blues are scouring the market for left-backs and have been linked with Peterborough United’s Harrison Burrows.
Longelo’s loan move from West Ham was made permanent in January 2023 but he has been used sparingly ever since. Longelo has made 45 appearances in total for Blues.
The omission of Junior Dixon from the travelling party has also caught a few by surprise. Dixon top scored for the under-21s last season with 19 goals including a brace in the Professional Development League play-off semi-final win over Millwall.
READ: Class Alfie May and key messages from Davies - Inside Blues training in Austria
READ: The lowdown on the nine Blues whizz kids Chris Davies has taken to Austria
He expected to be given the chance to impress new manager Chris Davies in pre-season but his absence in Austria suggests Blues might have other plans for him.
Dixon has stayed with the under-21s and could feature in their friendly with Stratford Town on Saturday. Blues have instead called up Frank Tattum who enjoyed a similarly prolific campaign with the under-18s to earn a two-year professional contract and 17-year-old Briar Bateman.
Dixon’s lack of involvement in the first team’s pre-season could pave the way for a loan move. The striker is contracted for another 12 months after Blues exercised their option to retain him.