Yahoo News Gary Rowett makes shock Oliver Burke call as Birmingham City face Rotherham showdown
Gary Rowett has handed Oliver Burke his first Championship start since New Year’s Day in Birmingham City’s crunch clash with Rotherham United this afternoon.
Burke recently returned to training after struggling with muscular issues during the early part of Rowett’s tenure as interim manager. The 26-year-old was frozen out by Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus following a disappointing cameo in Blues’ FA Cup defeat to Leicester City at the end of January.
His last league start came on January 1 when Wayne Rooney fielded him as a wing-back in Blues’ 3-0 defeat to Leeds United. Rooney lost his job the day after the defeat at Elland Road following a run of nine defeats in 15 matches.
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Rowett signed Burke twice on loan during his time at Millwall and heavily utilised the winger last season during the Lions’ push for the play-offs. He opted against signing Burke permanently from Werder Bremen and Blues eventually acquired him on loan from Werder Bremen on the final day of the summer window.
Burke has replaced Koji Miyoshi in the only change to the Blues starting XI from last weekend’s 3-0 win over Coventry City.
Miyoshi has started the past four games under Rowett but he has been used sparingly away from St Andrew’s this season.
Ex-West Brom and Sheffield United man Burke has failed to register a goal or assist in 20 league appearances for Blues this summer.
Marc Roberts also returns from injury to take Emanuel Aiwu’s place on the bench. Andre Dozzell has also dropped out of the squad to accommodate Burke’s return.
Blues XI to face Rotherham (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Laird, Bielik, Sanderson, Buchanan; Paik, Sunjic; Burke, T Roberts, Anderson; Stansfield. Subs: Etheridge, M Roberts, Bacuna, Hogan, Miyoshi, Dembele, James, Gardner, Hall
