Demarai Gray Eyes Stronger Second Season at Birmingham City After Injury Setback

Demarai Gray is entering his second season at Birmingham City with renewed focus and determination, aiming to make a greater impact after a challenging first year.

The 30-year-old winger has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season, showcasing his talent with several impressive goals in early friendlies. Gray’s first season back in England saw him contribute 11 goals and assists across all competitions, but his momentum was interrupted by a calf injury sustained on Boxing Day.

Reflecting on his debut season, Gray acknowledged how the injury affected his form. “Before the injury, I was in a really good place performance-wise, playing some of the best football I’d had in a while. Coming back, I didn’t quite feel the same,” he told Blues+. “I played with lots of niggles, which hampered me a bit, but overall I was happy with the first season.”

Gray also recognized the challenge of adapting to the Championship’s demanding nature. “It’s my first season back in England, and the Championship is a very difficult league. While we didn’t achieve promotion—that’s the main goal for the club—we were successful in many ways. Hopefully, we can learn from last year and improve.”

Known for his signature long-range strikes, like the stunning goals he scored against Watford and Southampton, Gray is eager to add variety to his game. “Those goals are nice for the highlight reel, but I want to score more tap-ins and scrappy goals to boost my tally and help the team more,” he said. “Everyone knows what I like to do, but there’s still plenty of room to develop and adapt.”

Gray understands that each match in the Championship presents unique challenges. “Every game is different, so it’s about adjusting to the circumstances,” he remarked. “For this season, my focus is on maintaining peak fitness and delivering what I do best for the team.”