Birmingham v Wolves preview

Championship rivals do battle for place in the fourth round

Last updated: 13th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Birmingham v Wolves preview

McLeish: Decisions to make

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Alex McLeish has a host of selection problems for Birmingham City's FA Cup third-round tie against Wolves, who are waiting on Wayne Hennessey.

The original tie was called off due to a frozen pitch at St Andrews and it means McLeish is without many of his new signings.

Lee Bowyer, Scott Sinclair, Hameur Bouazza and Keith Fahey all signed deals after the initial meeting was due to take place, making them ineligible for the game, although Robin Shroot could find himself on the bench.

Veteran striker Kevin Phillips misses out with a recurrence of his hip problem while midfielder Sebastian Larsson (thigh) will also not be considered, despite returning to training.

Left-sided player David Murphy will be looking to finally serve his one-match suspension after the club's last two games were postponed due to frozen pitches.

Winger Gary McSheffrey is once again ruled out with a knock and Garry O'Connor remains on the road to recovery after his groin operation.

Wolves news

Wayne Hennessey is battling to shake of a virus in time for Wolves' short trip to their Championship rivals.

The goalkeeper missed Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Preston through illness, leaving Carl Ikeme to take his place between the sticks and faces a late fitness test.

Midfielder David Edwards recovered from a hamstring injury in time to tackle North End but manager Mick McCarthy must decide whether he can handle two games in the space of four days.

Defender Kevin Foley missed out at the weekend with a hamstring injury and remains doubtful for the encounter, while midfielder Michael Gray has moved to Sheffield Wednesday on a month-long loan.

McCarthy planned to play a reshuffled line-up for the initial meeting before it was postponed due to a frozen pitch, with Andy Keogh and Sam Vokes starting in attack.