Blues banking on Cunningham return

Birmingham are optimistic Republic Of Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham will be fit for Saturday’s Premiership clash with Bolton at St Andrews.

Defender Cunningham has missed the last two matches though injury but he is making good progress and Blues manager Steve Bruce is optimistic he will be available for the weekend.

That would be a timely boost given that Olivier Tebily will be missing through suspension and Steve Vickers and Michael Johnson are long term casualties.

Bruce is viewing Saturday’s match as the club’s most important to date in their first campaign in the top flight for 16 years.

Cunningham formed an impressive partnership in the early phase of the season with Darren Purse but City have gone six weeks since their last clean sheet – a 3-0 home win against Aston Villa in mid-September.

Bruce said: “We are encouraged by Kenny’s progress. Hopefully he will make it for Saturday. It is vital he makes it because we are so stretched in that area.”