Birmingham V Leeds at St Andrews Stadium : Match Preview

14 January 2013 16:01
Birmingham V Leeds - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Blues wait on duo

Callum Reilly and Jonathan Spector will be assessed ahead of Birmingham's FA Cup third-round replay at home to Leeds.

Midfielder Reilly scored his first goal for Birmingham to put them ahead in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Huddersfield but was forced off at half-time having struggled with illness in the build-up to the fixture.

Spector replaced the teenager at half-time but has suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury which had ruled him out previously.

Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Peter Lovenkrands joined Spector in having returned from injury and suspension to make the bench against Town at the weekend, and the attacking trio will be in contention once again.

But on-loan winger Robert Hall has been denied permission to play by parent club West Ham. while Akwasi Asante, Papa Bouba Diop, Darren Ambrose, Hayden Mullins, David Murphy, Stephen Carr and Will Packwood all continue to be ruled out through injury.

Blues and Leeds drew 1-1 in the initial meeting at Elland Road, with a home tie against Tottenham awaiting the winners in the fourth round.

Leeds will be without latest signings Michael Tonge and Ross Barkley for the tie.

Tonge signed a permanent deal and Barkley joined on a month-long loan from Everton last week in time to appear in the weekend defeat at Barnsley, but neither player is eligible as they signed for the club after the initial 1-1 draw with the Blues at Elland Road.

Manager Neil Warnock, who has no major new injury or suspension headaches, could recall both Aidy White and Paul Green to his midfield.

Adam Drury is expected to return to the squad after missing out on Saturday through illness, while fellow defender Tom Lees is pushing for a recall as Leeds look to secure a fourth-round home tie against Tottenham.

Source: PA