Cup success won’t take McLeish’s eye off ball

ALEX McLEISH is concerned Birmingham’s push for cup glory on two fronts may take its toll on his ultimate goal — Premier League survival.

The Blues will contest the Carling Cup final next weekend and are also through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after disposing of Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

McLeish was able to give some of his key players a rare break against the Owls but is worried a heavy schedule may have a telling effect on his small squad, reduced even further by Alexander Hleb’s suspected medial knee ligament injury.