Benitez boosts Blues

Birmingham striker Christian Benitez is available for the FA Cup fifth round clash with Derby at Pride Park tomorrow.

The Ecuador international has recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Wolves which sidelined him for the midweek defeat at West Ham.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has to decide whether to recall wide players James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson or persevere with Craig Gardner and Keith Fahey, who replaced them at Upton Park.

Left-back David Murphy and midfielder Teemu Tainio have resumed training after knee problems but will not be considered for the clash with Nigel Clough’s side.

Team (from): Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey, Phillips, Jerome, Benitez, Michel, McFadden, Larsson, Taylor, Parnaby, Vignal, Jervis.