Life of Riley at Blues sadly nearing end - Lee
LEE Bowyer admits Birmingham City have little hope of retaining Riley McGree beyond the end of his loan on January 1.
The Australian was in magical form again on Tuesday evening as he scored for the second home game running to set Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory over Bristol City.
His display in recent games have meant Blues have not missed the injured Tahith Chong too badly although the Manchester United starlet is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
There have been calls for McGree’s loan from Charlotte to be extended for the remainder of the season and while Blues would like to do that there is no hope of doing so.
Bowyer said: “We have got few injuries now and he has grabbed his opportunity. With me if you work hard and care about the football club and the team you are playing for then you will always have a chance of playing.
“When you get the opportunity, whether it’s from the start or the bench then I want you to grab it, I don’t want people to perform badly. People that stroll around with bad attitudes. See you later, that ain’t going to work.
“Riley has been superb. He hasn’t played much, now that we need him he steps up and he performs and fights for the team and fights for the team, which every player should do – and Riley’s one that definitely has. I am pleased for him.”
Asked if Blues can retain McGree Bowyer was downbeat:
“No. I don’t think so. Not that I am told. Apparently he is going back.
“That will be a blow, there’s lots of blows at the minute, we are running out of players. We are going to need some help in January. Riley’s going back, Chong’s out injured for a while, we are losing players left, right and centre at the minute.”
Bowyer hopes Birmingham City have not seen the last of loanee Chong.
The Blues head coach revealed Chong has had surgery on what seemed like an innocuous groin injury and will now be out until well into the new year.
Chong has been given 16-week recovery time, which if all goes according to plan could see him return towards the end of February.
That would give him around a dozen more games at St Andrew’s – as long as Blues can come to an agreement with United.
“Unfortunately he had to have an operation today,” Bowyer said. “Something so small as well, the way it happened.
“Standing on the side of the pitch, a five yard pass into the pitch. No-one near him, no challenges or anything and he has damaged his groin area.
“It’s a massive loss, everyone knows what he has been like since he has
been here, he has been a massive player for us.
“So it’s tough to take but the most important thing now for Tahith is he gets his rehab right, which he will do, he will go back to Man U now and they will look after him.
“These things happen in football, I spoke to him yesterday and Sunday and he is down but I said ‘These things happen and you have to make sure you are a
stronger man when you come through it’. But it’s tough, he just loves the game.
“He has been great here, we are definitely going to miss him.
“I hope that both clubs can work something out, as you know the budget has always been one-in-one-out. I hope the two clubs can come to an agreement so we can still use him when he comes back towards the end of the season.”
Chong arrived on a season-long loan and has made a very favourable impression.
Blues will also be hampered by the fact McGree, will leave the club in January. That leaves Bowyer needing to recruit a replacement, but also hoping to bring Chong back.