Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner could play some part in the match after returning to full training.

The England Under-21 player has been sidelined with a thigh problem sustained on international duty three and a half weeks ago.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has no fresh injury worries and is unlikely to make any major changes after his side's 6-0 victory over Derby at Pride Park last weekend.

Birmingham City will give late fitness tests to striker James McFadden and midfielder Sebastian Larsson before manager Alex McLeish finalises his side for Sunday's derby at Aston Villa.

McFadden and Larsson both picked up knee problems during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Everton.

Mauro Zarate is on standby to replace McFadden while midfielder Olivier Kapo could return after a seven match absence with a hamstring strain.

Birmingham are still without their Northern Ireland international midfielder Damien Johnson, who is serving the second game of the three match suspension he picked up after being sent-off at Wigan, and central defender Martin Taylor who has a hamstring strain.