Birmingham V Blackburn at St Andrews Stadium : Match Preview

03 May 2013 12:31
Birmingham V Blackburn - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Hancox blow for Blues

Mitch Hancox will miss out as Birmingham round off their season at home to Blackburn.

The teenage left-back broke two bones in his left hand when colliding with Carlos Edwards and falling over the advertisement boards at Portman Road during last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Ipswich.

The injury is not serious but Hancox will play no part against Rovers at St Andrew's.

Wes Thomas also misses out with an ankle injury so boss Lee Clark will add youngsters Akwasi Asante, Koby Arthur and Olly Lee to his squad.

Jonathan Spector, Keith Fahey, Marlon King, David Murphy, Will Packwood and Stephen Carr are long-term absentees.

Club captain Carr on Friday confirmed his retirement from the game.

Blackburn have defender Gael Givet available, but David Dunn must be assessed.

Givet missed Rovers' last two outings with a hamstring injury sustained during last month's defeat at Watford but is now back in full training.

Club stalwart Dunn required stitches after sustaining a gash to his ankle during the recent victory over Millwall which ruled him out of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace - a result that effectively ended Rovers' relegation fears.

"Gael is back, he has recovered from his hamstring (injury) so that is one extra for us," caretaker manager Gary Bowyer confirmed on the club's official website.

"We've one or two who will be assessed on Friday morning. One of those is Dunny.

"He's been magnificent for us in the last couple of games. He has shown how much this club means to him."

Goalkeepers Paul Robinson (back/lung) and Jake Kean are long-term absentees alongside right-back Adam Henley (hamstring) and Dickson Etuhu (knee), while striker Leon Best completes a three-match suspension.

Source: PA