Injury relief for Blues

Birmingham’s lengthy injury list is finally starting to recede with five players back in contention for the visit of Bolton in the Barclays Premiership on Monday.

David Dunn, Mario Melchiot, Damien Johnson, Stephen Clemence and Julian Gray are all available as Blues look for their first home league win of the campaign, while Nicky Butt is also available after being ineligible for the visit to Newcastle a fortnight ago as part of his loan move from St James’ Park.

But it is not all good news – striker Mikael Forssell is sidelined for up to three weeks with a thigh injury sustained in training.

Provisional squad: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunnigham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Clapham, Tebily, Pennant, Kilkenny, Johnson, Dunn, Izzet, Clemence, Gray, Lazaridis, Jarosik, Heskey, Pandiani, Vaesen.