Alex McLeish insists he couldn't risk any of his top players picking up injuries against Sunderland.
Blues boss says he had to field a weakened side at Sunderland
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish insisted he had to field a weakened side against Sunderland because he couldn't risk any of his star players picking up injuries.
The Blues went down with barely a whimper at the Stadium of Light as they lost 2-0 in the Carling Cup third round.
McLeish made seven changes to the side that beat Hull City 1-0 in the Premier League at the weekend as he tried to juggle his squad.
However the Scot honestly admitted that he couldn't risk any of his top players picking up injuries and subsequently missing the league clash with Bolton at the weekend.
"Such are the injuries we have suffered that I couldn't risk people tonight, I just couldn't risk one or two players who I really need at top sharpness for the weekend," he said.
"We would love to win the Carling Cup, don't get me wrong. Our supporters would love to see some semblance or a wee chink of going to Wembley.
"But at the moment, we are still a work in progress and I don't have as strong a squad as I would like to have. But we are building towards that."
