Source: Team_Talk
Benitez expected to return soon
McLeish has been forced to change his starting line-up for the first time in 13 Premier League games.[LNB]Benitez has been ruled out of Wednesday night's clash at West Ham with a knock suffered in a challenge with Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann in Sunday's derby at St Andrew's.[LNB]McLeish is optimistic the Ecuador international will only have a short spell on the sidelines providing there is no delayed reaction to the injury.[LNB]The former Scotland boss said: "Christian is limping a wee bit - although the ankle injury is not serious.[LNB]"The doctor thinks that, with a push, he could have been knocking on the door for tonight's game but he's not going to quite make it.[LNB]"It's not serious but sometimes these things can improve pretty quickly, then you hit a hiatus with it, and it tends to drag on for a couple of weeks.[LNB]"Let's hope that the doctor's diagnosis is right and he is back sooner rather than later."[LNB]Benitez has played a full part in City's run of only one defeat in their last 15 league games.[LNB]McLeish insists there have been no complaints amongst the City players about Hahnemann's challenge after Benitez challenged for the ball before being given offside.[LNB]He said: "Nothing has been said about it."[LNB][LNB]
