Stuart Parnaby to miss Blackpool game
STUART Parnaby has been ruled out of Blues game at home to Blackpool on Saturday.
Scans on the right-back's ankle injury sustained at Bristol City have shown ligament damage.
He could be sidelined for a week or two.
Parnaby, who has been one of Blues best performers during their rise to the top of the Championship, will be replaced by Stephen Kelly - some deputy.
Manager Alex McLeish said: "There's no massive swelling, but there is a bit of ligament damage. We don't think he will be out for too long. It's not as bad as we first feared."
As for Kelly, McLeish said: "We've an excellent replacement to come in.
"Steve's been champing at the bit. He was a bit unlucky to be out at the start of the season because he got an injury and we liked what we saw from Parnaby, his attitude and his form was very good.
"Steve's wee injury stopped him starting the season."
As for the potential disruption to the defence, which has remained unchanged in the Championship, McLeish said it was not a worry.
"The template is there, it's set for the back four. We worked in pre-season on shape and understanding.
"But he knows them and they know Steve. They know each other inside out and he should slot in without any problems whatsoever."
"We don't want too many disruptions, but the good thing is that I can put a player in there I can trust," McLeish added.
Midfielder Kemy Agustien, who had to be substituted at Bristol due to a groin strain, has been passed fit.
And striker Garry O'Connor is raring to go following his rehabilitation from groin trouble, which was eased by an injection and rest.
Said McLeish: "O'Connor is bursting to get back in, he has looked very, very sharp on the training ground. He will have to be patient, as some of the strikers must throughout the season.
"It's up to them to grab a chance, as Cameron Jerome has done in the last two games with two goals. He's picked up the gauntlet."
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