The gaffer discusses the upcoming trip to St. Andrew's, amongst other topics.
ON THE RISK OF ANOTHER COVID CALL-OFF
"As we stand right now, I expect the game on Saturday to go ahead. We have the minimum amount of players that you need. Of course, it's not the optimal amount, but during this week we've had 14 players training, so we have the acceptable number to play the game.
"So I'm hopeful of us playing this game at Birmingham, but that's assuming we don't lose any more players before tomorrow."
THE CHALLENGING PERIOD WITH COVID-19
"Of course, it's been a very challenging time, it's tough to cope with. These are strange times, but it's been this way for a long time now. I think for the last two years, for all football coaches it has forced us to think in a different way.
"Whether that's new ways of preparing the players, the workload and the other factors off the pitch. I'm sorry to say that we are used to it all by now."
COVID COMPLICATIONS AND OTHER INJURIES
"Some players are out due to COVID, some players we have missing due to an injury but it's not always as simple as the player being injured. Because some have returned from COVID, then they've had to return quicker than is ideal and then picked up an injury.
"They're coming back faster than normal and then they're not in the best shape which makes injuries much more possible.
"None of this is ideal, and for us, it's happened in a short period after previously being quite fortunate with cases. But it is what it is, and we've been doing everything we can to limit the spread and of those we've had in the building training, we've had a really positive week ahead of this weekend."
THE TRANSFER WINDOW
"I know it's a process we are in right now, we know where we need to improve the squad and whilst I can't tell you who and when, the process is ongoing. We've already made some space with some players leaving, and we will have to see at the end of the month what the squad looks like.
"But I know we are all working hard inside the club to give ourselves the best chance of fighting against this situation."
ON BIRMINGHAM CITY
"It's two teams right now who are struggling and are under pressure. So let's see how this shows up on the pitch on Saturday.
"The team who best handles the pressure, who can take control of the game, we need to make sure that we are that team.
"If we can give the fans a performance, hopefully we get the right result for us."
