Blues missing attacking duo

McFadden and Kapo fail to recover in time for Latics match

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd April 2008

james mcfadden birmingham

McFadden: Will not be risked

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Birmingham will head to Wigan this weekend without the services of James McFadden and Olivier Kapo.

The Blues face a crunch relegation showdown with former boss Steve Bruce's Latics, but have seen their attacking options severely limited in the build-up to the game.

McFadden had been expected to overcome a knee problem in time, while Kapo was thought to be making good progress in his return from a troublesome hamstring injury.

However, neither are expected to make the journey North and will instead focus their attentions on proving their fitness ahead of the Premier League encounter with Everton on 12th April.

Too early

"Both of their injuries are moving in the right direction but we don't want to put a deadline on them," first team coach Roy Aitken told the club's official website.

"This weekend is probably a game too early for James.

"Olivier is also making good progress, but again this weekend may be a bit too early for him.

"But we're hoping those players, as well as Liam Ridgewell and Franck Queudrue (both suspended), will all be available for the Everton game."