Clemence on way back for Birmingham

Stephen Clemence is set to ease Birmingham manager Steve Bruce’s midfield injury problems by winning his battle to be fit for Sunday’s derby with Aston Villa.

The former Tottenham player is back in full training after several weeks out of action with a calf problem.

Bruce is already without the services of hamstring victim David Dunn while Robbie Savage was clearly less than fully mobile in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Sunderland because of his groin injury.

Clemence had been earmarked to play for the reserves against Tamworth on Tuesday evening to gain some match fitness but the match has been postponed.

He said: “I’m sure my calf is going to be okay now. It’s just whether I’d be able to do myself and the team justice in such an up-tempo game as the derby.”