Paik out of derby clash but there's brighter injury news from the Blues camp

But there is otherwise a clean bill of health for Chris Davies, after checks on returning internationals and also those who remained here nursing ailments.

August Priske, Bright Osayi-Samuel and James Beadle are all fine, as are Liam Millar (Canada) and Jhon Solis (Colombia), who checked-in at EPIC later than the others.

During the international break Max Bird and Taylor Gardner-Hickman also stepped up their recoveries and are now available for Davies' matchday squad again.

And Demarai Gray is fully fit and firing after a debilitating illness.

Paik withdrew from South Korea's squad after their second of four friendlies.

Davies said: "Paik has picked up a bit of a knock that he’s been carrying for a little while so he’s the only one that is looking like he will be missing a few games, but everyone else seems to be in good shape."

Blues fitted in a behind closed doors friendly with Coventry City last Saturday to keep things ticking over. Jay Stansfield scored twice in a 2-2 draw.

Bird and Gardner-Hickman didn't feature, but are fit.

Davies said: "It was too early for them. The game came too soon. They have had another training week, they are in contention and available, but starting a match would probably be a step too far for them at the moment. They're both looking good.

"It’s similar with Demarai, he’s building himself back up and he’s in contention."

Beadle was stood down from England under-21s last Euro group match in Ireland on Tuesday after the young Three Lions secured qualification for the next summer's finals in the previous game.

And Osayi-Samuel didn't travel with Nigeria for their friendly in north west Russia.

Priske made his comeback from injury for Denmark under-21s and was carefully managed by his country.

Blues didn't have any arrangement with England or Nigeria about the former pair.

Davies said: "We didn't have anything pre-agreed as such. I think it just developed that way.

"We had spoken to Denmark about August pre-game. I know their coach, I had spoken to him about his plan and they kind of honoured that. August has come back fresh.

"I am pleased to say that non of them are coming back - apart from the travel for Liam and Jhon - having played three or four games in that time (away) and are really jaded."

The friendly against the Sky Blues was a worthwhile exercise for Davies.

"The Coventry game was excellent. They hosted us behind closed doors and it was a valuable exercise for both teams, getting various players some minutes.

"We tried to work on our game and how we can improve, against a good team."

Davies was definite about what he wanted from the three-week hiatus.

"We tried to treat it like a second pre-season. Get fitness in, we got a game in. But use the time well basically.

"We tried to use the time to reflect and (as) a pit stop really - right, here is where we are and here's where we want to go, here's what we have got to do to improve.

"That's the most important thing at this stage of the season. How can you keep improving and build consistency? So we've had that. We've had some good meetings, some good training sessions. It's been a productive break."

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