Blues short on numbers for replay

Birmingham are facing a player shortage ahead of tomorrow’s home FA Cup fifth-round replay against Chelsea with eight senior members of the squad cup-tied or injured.

Defenders Stephen Carr (knee), Steve Caldwell (ribs) and David Murphy (hip) are out, Peter Ramage is cup-tied while Curtis Davies is doubtful through illness. Pablo Ibanez is the only fit centre-half.

In addition midfielders Andros Townsend (cup-tied) and Keith Fahey (groin) are unavailable. Strikers Erik Huseklepp (cup-tied) and Caleb Folan (ineligible) also cannot face Chelsea.

Provisional squad: Doyle, Myhill, Spector, Davies, Ibanez, Burke, Mutch, N’Daw, King, Zigic, Redmond, Gomis, Elliott, Rooney, Deaman, Packwood, Riley, Jervis.