Chris Davies teases Lyndon Dykes and Alfie May solution to Birmingham City problem
Chris Davies is hoping Birmingham City can cope without top scorer Jay Stansfield at Reading this weekend
Chris Davies has teased the idea of starting both Lyndon Dykes and Alfie May at Reading as Birmingham City look to replace Jay Stansfield’s goals.
Stansfield is set for a spell on the sidelines with a leg injury, meaning Davies must replace his leading man in Blues’ attack.
Scotland international Dykes, who netted the goal which sent Blues to Wembley in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday, and reigning League One Golden Boot winner May provide Davies with two luxurious alternatives.
And they could even start together if Davies elects to use Dykes in the number 10 position.
“I always want these problems and these headaches – they can both play together, that’s the other thing,” said Davies.
“Lyndon has played quite a few games as a ten, just off Jay, recently. Alfie of course can play as a nine or a ten. There’s options there to think about. We’ve got Jukey as well who is always a reliable option.
“Lyndon’s been in really good form actually and I was really pleased for him to get that goal because he’s been a little bit unlucky to come out of the team, just through my own decision making, because of the impact he has made in certain games. To come on and do that was brilliant.
“Alfie has proven he is one of the best goalscorers in the league. We have good options whilst Jay is out.”
With 11 goals in 40 appearances this season, May is Blues’ second top scorer behind 20-goal hitman Stansfield. The 31-year-old has, however, gone nine games without a goal and has only scored in four separate League One fixtures since August.
Dykes has only registered one goal in his 24 League One outings, but he has been more productive in the cups with four goals in seven appearances.
Discussing Dykes’ form, Davies added: “Since the turn of the year he’s scored a brilliant goal against Lincoln, he’s had a hand in a big goal for Jay in the Rotherham game, and he’s played well in the Wrexham and Huddersfield away games. He’s had a really strong start to the calendar year actually.
“He hasn’t had as many goals as he would have liked, but he’s effective in other ways as well in what he gives the team. From his point of view, he will be looking and thinking he can kick on from here.
“It should give him great confidence. It was one of the most important goals of our season, to get a team to Wembley in the last minute of a game is something really special.”