Parnaby back in Blues contention

Birmingham right-back Stuart Parnaby has shaken off an ankle problem and is available for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.

Parnaby suffered the setback during the 2-0 win at Portsmouth 10 days ago and was ruled out of the home draw with Everton last weekend but is now back in training.

He is likely to have to be content with a place on the substitutes’ bench given the consistent form of captain Stephen Carr.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns as his side look to sustain their surprise push for a Europa League spot, but on-loan Sunderland player Teemu Tainio is ineligible to face his parent club.

Provisional squad: Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, Benitez, Taylor, Parnaby, Larsson, McFadden, Michel, Phillips, Murphy, Vignal, Queudrue.