Johnson, Schmitz and Kapo set to make Arsenal trip for Blues

Jan 10 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES hope to have Damien Johnson, Rafael Schmitz and Olivier Kapo available again for Saturday's game at Arsenal.

Johnson will have to play in a protective face mask after suffering a fracture to the skull in the draw with Fulham on December 28.

Schmitz has not figured since the match at Bolton Wanderers three weeks ago. He has been nursing a torn hamstring.

Kapo, who is said to be interesting Sunderland, has had irritation in his knee and also last played at Bolton.

Manager Alex McLeish left him out of the starting line-up after taking over, and then Kapo fell ill.

It led to whispers he was unhappy and up for grabs, and Sunderland apparently have tested the water by making an inquiry.

But McLeish has had Kapo working hard at Wast Hills to regain his sharpness with a view to involvement on Saturday.