Birmingham v Wolves preview

Midlands rivals meet at St Andrews

Last updated: 2nd January 2009

Birmingham v Wolves preview

Edwards: Hamstring injury

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Bitter rivals Birmingham and Wolves meet at St Andrews on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Midlands duo are battling to secure promotion to the Premier League, but will put their Championship concerns to one side for what is sure to be a fiery encounter.

January signing Keith Fahey could make his Birmingham debut at the weekend.

The Irish midfielder agreed his move to the Midlands outfit at the start of December, although Blues have been waiting until January for the official paperwork to be completed and he may feature if international clearance is granted by Friday lunchtime.

On-loan defender Nicky Hunt has returned to Bolton after the Premier League club invoked a 24-hour recall clause, although Stuart Parnaby has featured at right-back of late in any case.

Left-sided player David Murphy saw red in the goalless draw against Swansea last time out and will serve a one-match ban.

Midfielder Sebastian Larsson could return after missing the last two games with a groin strain while Damien Johnson should again feature having come through the last two games unscathed following a lengthy back problem.

Defender Stephen Kelly has returned to training after a thigh injury and is currently working his way back to full fitness. Winger Gary McSheffrey (knee) and striker Garry O'Connor (groin) remain sidelined.

Wolves team news

Wolves midfielder David Edwards is hoping to be fit after being forced off after just 26 minutes of Monday's 2-2 draw at Blackpool with a hamstring problem.

While Edwards has admitted the area remains "a bit tender", he is upbeat about his chances of being fit in time for the eagerly-anticipated encounter.

Winger Michael Kightly returns from his one-match ban, meaning Kevin Foley should drop back into defence and leave boss Mick McCarthy with plenty of options at the back.

Makeshift defender Stephen Ward has fully recovered from a virus and will be looking for a starting berth, while winger Matt Jarvis will hope to keep hold of his place having impressed at Bloomfield Road.

Goalkeeper Shane Higgs has penned an additional one-month loan deal from Cheltenham but is not expected to feature. Fellow stopper Matt Murray and defender George Elokobi (both knee) are both targeting respective returns in time for pre-season training in the summer.