Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has urged Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel to step up his game in order to reclaim his place in the team’s starting XI, Footynaija.com reports.
Osayi-Samuel has found himself slipping down the pecking order at Birmingham City, with the Nigeria international now playing second fiddle to the in-form Tomoki Iwata.
A dip in form caused by injury has kept the versatile defender on the fringes in recent weeks, starting the club’s last five matches on the bench and earning just 16 minutes of action across that spell.
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Iwata’s brilliant form hasn’t helped Osayi-Samuel’s chances either. Initially deployed at right-back as emergency cover due to injuries in the squad, the Japanese star has exceeded expectations, becoming one of the standout full-backs in the league.
Ahead of Monday’s clash against Watford, Blues manager Davies made it clear that Osayi-Samuel still has an important role at the club, but he must raise his levels to reclaim a starting shirt.
“Bright has been brought in to be an important player for us,” Davies told Birmingham Mail. “He made a good start then with injuries he found himself out of the team.
“Tomoki was moved to right-back because both right-backs were injured and Tomoki has been one of if not the best full-back in the league in that time, he’s been exceptional.
“There’s an opportunity for Bright to come in and show what he can do because he’s an international player, he’s played at a really good level and he’s been working well.”
Birmingham City will head into Monday’s clash with Watford, seeking their fourth win in six games. They currently sit in ninth place with 25 points and are just two points off the play-offs places.
