Blues can't quite finish the job as Ducksch runs out of steam

CHRIS Davies admits Middlesbrough might have been a game too far for Marvin Ducksch after the striker failed to replicate his sterling St Andrew's form on the road.

- By ALEX DICKEN

The fit-again Ducksch played a leading role in Birmingham City's back-to-back victories over Portsmouth and Millwall and Davies named the same starting XI for a third game in a row for the first time this season at the Riverside.

But the German couldn't force his way into the match and made way for Kyogo Furuhashi before the hour.

Reflecting on Ducksch's display, Davies said: "He had moments around the ball and everything else. They changed their shape quite early to a back five when they got the injury (to Dael Fry).

"We couldn't quite find him and link with him enough. He was OK, it wasn’t for the want of trying and it was his third game in a week. I wanted to keep the same team and they all seemed fresh enough.

"I would say he’s had a really good week because he’s got back fit, we've kept him fit and we've got a very good player."

Davies will assess Paik Seung-ho in the coming days after the midfielder dislocated his shoulder in the defeat to Middlesbrough.

The South Korea international challenged for a header inside the first minute near the left touchline before landing awkwardly.