Defensive duo ruled out

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is resigned to being without defenders Mat Sadler and Rafael Schmitz for the opening Barclays Premier League fixture at Chelsea on Sunday.

Bruce is already without Blues captain Damien Johnson (hamstring) but at least has cover for left-back Sadler and centre-back Schmitz after the recent acquisition of Franck Queudrue from Fulham and Liam Ridgewell from Aston Villa.