Birmingham City have been dealt a potential blow regarding the fitness of Marc Roberts ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What's the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, manager Lee Bowyer revealed that the Blues centre-back is a doubt for the visit of Preston North End on Saturday, as the 31-year-old picked up a stomach injury in the 3-0 loss to Peterborough United last weekend.

However, the 44-year-old added that the defender's scan on his stomach came back OK, although he suggested that Roberts is still feeling some discomfort in the area and is "touch and go" for tomorrow's fixture.

Bowyer said: "Robbo came off, he went for a scan on his stomach, but that came back okay. He is touch and go, he still has a little bit of pain but we will see how he goes."

Bowyer will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Roberts has been in the heart of the Birmingham defence so far this season, Bowyer will be gutted if he is unable to call upon the centre-back for the visit of Preston this weekend.

Indeed, over his eight Championship appearances this term, the £1.35m-rated man has scored one goal and has helped his side to keep four clean sheets, as well as making 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 3.4 clearances and winning 5.5 duels per game (SofaScore).

These returns have seen the defender earn a fantastic average SofaScore match rating of 7.26, ranking him as Birmingham's best performer in the second tier so far this season.

As such, while the absence of Roberts could see Dion Sanderson come into the team - with the 22-year-old Wolves loanee having also impressed over his two appearances for the Blues - the loss of the club's best performing player in the league would nevertheless be a big blow for Bowyer, who will certainly be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways against Preston.