Bowyer in the frame for Birmingham

Birmingham could restore Lee Bowyer to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League home match against Chelsea.

Craig Gardner is struggling with an ankle injury, which he suffered against Manchester City, and Bowyer is standing by to take his place.

Manager Alex McLeish will examine a specialist’s report before deciding whether to play former Aston Villa midfielder Gardner.

McLeish was awaiting the return of a number of his international players before deciding on their fitness.

Provisional squad: Carr, Murphy, Bowyer, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner, Jerome, Ferguson, Doyle, Dann, Madera, Fahey, Zigic, Valles, Parnaby, Beausejour, O’Shea, Foster, Redmond, Jiranek, Phillips.