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Birmingham City start their season with a Carabao Cup tie against Swansea City on Saturday after a victorious pre-season. Chris Davies' side have won all six of their pre-season games in front of supporters, only losing narrowly in a behind-closed-doors game against Portuguese champions Porto. But there have been casualties in Blues' pre-season campaign with a number of players nursing knocks ahead of the trip to South Wales. Here is the latest on the injury front ahead of Blues' first game of the 2026/27 season... Paik Seung-ho Paik didn't feature in Blues' pre-season campaign after picking up an injury in training upon his return from the World Cup. The midfielder's condition has improved this week but Davies was typically vague when asked for an update on the eve of the Swansea match. “He’s had a good week," said Davies. "He obviously had a knock but he’s made decent progress this week, so he’s in a much better position than he was.” Paik last played six weeks ago so he will now be playing catch up. Demarai Gray Gray was flying in pre-season with three goals - a tally only bettered by August Priske - before picking up an issue on the eve of the Barcelona game. Davies has given off the impression that Gray missed the Barcelona game as a precaution which bodes well because he is currently the only left-winger in the squad. The manager said: "Again, a much better position than he was. He was close to the Barca match but picked up a niggle." Marvin Ducksch Ducksch is another player who hasn't featured at all in pre-season having suffered an injury out in Portugal in early July. The German has now started working out on the grass again at the training ground but he will need to build up his fitness before being considered for first team matches. "Marvin is light training so not far away," said Davies. Taylor Gardner-Hickman The midfielder pulled up 10 minutes into Blues' friendly at Burton Albion on July 22 and has been ruled out for 'months, not weeks' by his manager. Gardner-Hickman's future was up in the air after a loan at Blackburn Rovers last season but he now looks set to stay put until January. Marc Leonard Leonard ruptured his Achilles at the back-end of last season during what was an otherwise successful loan spell at Hearts. The midfielder was on course for a lucrative summer transfer before going down in a game against Motherwell on May 9. The Scottish midfielder underwent surgery in London swiftly before returning to Blues to begin his rehabilitation. He is still on crutches and refined to the gym at Blues' training ground and the expectation is that Leonard won't be available until the New Year.