Birmingham City make clear statement on future of Gary Rowett and Tony Mowbray at St Andrew's

Birmingham City have moved quickly to clarify the management position at the club after a report suggested that Gary Rowett would stay at the club to replace Tony Mowbray.

Responding to the report, Blues stated: "Birmingham City Football Club wishes to issue the following response to a media report relating to Interim Manager, Gary Rowett.

"The timeline of Rowett’s tenure remains the same as when he was appointed in March. He will oversee the Men’s First Team for the final game of the Sky Bet Championship season against Norwich City on Saturday.

"Tony Mowbray remains the Club’s First Team Manager and the football club expects everyone to remain respectful of his circumstance."

The statement comes in the wake of a report that the club had made the decision to make Rowett's role permanent. Blues have always stated that this was a situation that was never on the table and Rowett was always a temporary appointment.

READ: I am worried about Birmingham City awards dinner but I hope one player turns up

READ: Tom Wagner, 'no fear' and John Eustace - Birmingham City's date with Championship destiny

Interim boss Rowett has welcomed back some key players in recent weeks but he has issues to contend with on the eve of the Norwich match. Rowett revealed that some players are carrying injuries and Tyler Roberts – who starred in the 3-0 win over Coventry City at St Andrew’s three weeks ago – was an unused substitute at Huddersfield Town due to an ankle problem.

“We’ve had a couple of little niggles in the week,” Rowett said in his pre-Norwich team news update. “I didn’t start Tyler last week because he’d had an ankle injury and missed a couple of days training.

READ: I am worried about Birmingham City awards dinner but I hope one player turns up

READ: Tom Wagner, 'no fear' and John Eustace - Birmingham City's date with Championship destiny

“I think he tried to get through the Rotherham game but I didn’t feel like he was anywhere near 100 percent so left him out of the starting line-up at Huddersfield. Of course someone like that, even though there’s still an injury there, probably comes back into contention for selection on Saturday.”

Rowett could be without Werder Bremen loanee Oliver Burke once again due to a hamstring injury. Burke tweaked his hamstring at Rotherham and didn’t feature in the draw with Huddersfield.

Alfie Chang is Blues’ only long-term absentee. The 21-year-old midfielder returned to light training outside earlier this week and could return in pre-season after a serious knee injury.