Cunningham faces fitness race

Republic of Ireland and Birmingham captain Kenny Cunningham is stepping up his fitness regime in a bid to be fit for Saturday’s opening Barclays Premiership match at Fulham.

Cunningham, 34, suffered a collapsed lung during the pre-season friendly with QPR at Loftus Road 12 days ago.

He is striving to overcome the effects of that setback and has been putting himself through his paces in the club gymnasium at Wast Hills.

Birmingham are strictly monitoring the progress of Cunningham and they will assess whether there has been any reaction before deciding if he can play at Craven Cottage.

Cunningham has been a key figure for Blues since signing from Wimbledon in the summer of 2002. If he is ruled out, then Martin Taylor is the obvious candidate to partner Matthew Upson at the weekend.

Taylor also had to fill the breach at the start of last season when Cunningham missed the opening two games through suspension.