MARTIN O’Neill has been tipped to restore Aston Villa to former glories if he replaces David O’Leary as manager by former Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet.

Birmingham midfielder Muzzy Izzet has been forced to retire due to a long-term knee injury.

Birmingham will give late fitness tests to striker Emile Heskey and winger Jermaine Pennant ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce’s joy at moving out of the Premiership bottom three has been tempered by further injury setbacks.

STEVE BRUCE has given his backing to Birmingham physio Neil McDiarmid and the club’s medical staff and insisted they should shoulder no blame for the club’s major injury problems during the past 18 months.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce will have Matthew Upson, Muzzy Izzet, David Dunn and Chris Sutton available after lengthy injury lay-offs for the Barclays Premiership clash at Wigan.

Steve Bruce has pinpointed on-loan midfielder Nicky Butt as the key player who could inspire Birmingham to cling onto their Barclays Premiership status.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has major injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea at St Andrews.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is hoping Emile Heskey comes good when it matters most as the relegation battle intensifies.

Stan Lazaridis has insisted there will be “no bitterness” if Birmingham decide not to renew his contract in the summer.

DJIBRIL CISSE has issued an apology through Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for his controversial behaviour after scoring his side’s third goal from the spot at Newcastle.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Nicky Butt are major fitness doubts for Tuesday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield.

Birmingham look set to be short of midfield creativity for the visit of Martin Jol’s Tottenham side.

Birmingham midfielder Muzzy Izzet is poised to return to action after injury in tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premiership meeting with West Brom at St Andrews.

Steve Bruce believes David Dunn can have a massive role to play for Birmingham in their battle to survive in the Premiership, if he can stay fit.

Birmingham centre-back Matthew Upson is to have an injection in his troublesome groin in the hope he will be fit for Saturday’s relegation battle with West Brom at St Andrews.

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka was handed his first start for a month with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink out with a virus.

Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson has recovered from the knock on the knee suffered against Sunderland for tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Birmingham’s survival hopes have been dealt a blow with the key trio of Damien Johnson, Chris Sutton and Muzzy Izzet set to miss the Premiership battles with Middlesbrough and West Brom through injury.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has set his sights on catching West Brom after Emile Heskey’s goal earned three points against a battling Sunderland at St Andrews.

Birmingham 1 Sunderland 0

Chelsea have defended the state of the Stamford Bridge pitch and insist claims it will favour them against Barcelona next week are “nonsense”.

Steve Bruce’s ambition to lead Birmingham to a major trophy could be wrecked ahead of tonight’s FA Cup replay against Reading with up to 15 first team squad members ruled out through injury, suspension or ineligibility.

Birmingham are facing an injury crisis ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup replay with Reading with three players undergoing scans today to determine the extent of injuries sustained against Arsenal at the weekend.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce made six changes from the side which overcame Torquay in the midweek FA Cup third round replay for the bottom-of-the-table Barclays Premiership clash with Harry Redknapp’s revamped side.

Birmingham skipper and central defender Kenny Cunningham is poised to return for the the vital Premiership basement battle at St Andrews.

Charlton 2 Birmingham 0

Chris Sutton made his debut for struggling Birmingham in today’s Barclays Premiership clash at Charlton.

Birmingham will give a debut to striker Chris Sutton in the Premiership match at Charlton, as Steve Bruce has virtually a full squad at his disposal for the first time this season.

Steve Bruce is looking to bring in “two or three more players” before the January transfer window closes after admitting his Birmingham squad has been unable to cope with this season’s massive injury list.

Chris Sutton’s debut for Birmingham has been put on ice for a week after his free transfer move from Celtic until the end of the season.

Birmingham City 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Birmingham 2 Wigan 0

Birmingham will have to make at least two changes from the side which earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Manchester United for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association will not take any action against Birmingham manager Steve Bruce or Everton boss David Moyes after comments about referees on Boxing Day.

Spurs 2 Birmingham 0

Tottenham 2 Birmingham 0

Turkey international Muzzy Izzet returns from a hamstring injury as beleaguered Birmingham manager Steve Bruce makes five changes for his side’s Boxing Day clash at Tottenham.

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell has suffered another injury setback and is rated doubtful for the Boxing Day encounter at White Hart Lane.

Steve Bruce has insisted he has no regrets about re-signing Mikael Forssell despite the Birmingham striker’s lack of goals during the first half of the season.

Striker Mikael Forssell returns to the Birmingham squad for the Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City after a month out with a thigh injury.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made five changes – three of them enforced - for the crucial Premiership clash with Fulham at St Andrews.

Birmingham are without right-back Mario Melchiot (thigh) and midfielder Muzzy Izzet (hamstring) for the clash with Fulham at St Andrew’s.

Steve Bruce has branded Birmingham’s home record as “horrific” after West Ham took advantage of more sloppy defending to inflict further Premiership misery on the Blues.