Source: Team_Talk
Hleb doubt for Second City derby
irmingham are sweating over the fitness of on-loan Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb ahead of Sunday's derby match at Aston Villa.[LNB] The former Arsenal player suffered a twisted knee during the second half of Saturday's 2-0 home success over Blackpool.[LNB]Hleb had his best game for the club operating in the 'hole' in a new look 4-3-1-2 formation.[LNB]Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "At half-time I said to Alex 'give me 15 minutes of magic and we will get you off'.[LNB]"It went a bit longer than that and all of a sudden he had a little twist in his knee which we are concerned about.[LNB]"We have to wait to see how it is but he is a brave guy. I just hope there is no serious damage.[LNB]"He took a pain-killing injection on Saturday morning in his ankle so we will be looking for him to be a quick healer.[LNB]"I was going to take him off maybe five or six minutes earlier. I wish I had now."[LNB]McLeish said: "We are trying to find the formation that suits the players and that one suited Alex on Saturday.[LNB]"It was new for us and we got the victory but it doesn't mean we will use it every week."[LNB]McLeish admits he will have to make changes for Tuesday night's home Carling Cup tie with Brentford.[LNB]He said: "We will have to make enforced changes. One or two will definitely need to rest and players have been playing with injections.[LNB]"That has been the case with three or four of them over the last few weeks, and that just can't last for ever because you will burn them out."
