As Birmingham City prepares for the upcoming season, three senior players—Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Marc Leonard, and Scott Wright—return from their loan spells, each with a different outlook on their future at St Andrew’s.
Scott Wright’s loan to Dundee in January aimed to revive his career after a second Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Over 10 appearances—including two starts—he managed to score once. Now approaching 29 and entering the final year of his contract, Wright faces stiff competition from Carlos Vicente and Patrick Roberts for a place in Birmingham’s first team. Given this, it’s likely that the club will consider offers for the winger this summer.
Marc Leonard’s situation is more challenging. Following a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained while playing for Hearts in May, Leonard faces a lengthy recovery period of six to nine months, sidelining him potentially until late 2026. Prior to this setback, Leonard had an impressive loan at Hearts, playing a key role in their near title win. Interest in Leonard was growing not only from Hearts but also from clubs in MLS and Belgium. He was even on the radar for Scotland’s World Cup squad, with manager Steve Clarke monitoring his progress before calling up a replacement due to injury. Signed from Brighton for under £500,000 two years ago, Leonard represented a potential profit opportunity for Birmingham—a prospect now put on hold by this injury.
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Taylor Gardner-Hickman showed determination to secure regular playing time last season, joining Blackburn Rovers on loan, with Valerien Ismael—his former coach at West Bromwich Albion—at the helm. There had been talk of a permanent transfer to Blackburn, but Ismael’s departure in February changed the dynamics. Still, Birmingham included a buy option in the loan deal, signaling openness to letting Gardner-Hickman leave. Current reports indicate ongoing discussions about his future, with Gardner-Hickman expected to return for pre-season training.
The status quo sees Wright and Gardner-Hickman set to report for pre-season, while Leonard continues rehabilitation at Birmingham’s Elite Performance and Innovation Centre (EPIC). This summer promises decisive moments as Birmingham City works to align its squad and chart a clear path forward.