Alex McLeish said his selection for Birmingham City's FA Cup quarter-final against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday would be governed by availability, not necessarily priorities.

With the Carling Cup in the bag and Blues desperate to retain their Premier League status, the other big domestic knock-out competition could take a back seat.

Blues next league match is at Wigan Athletic, a classic six-pointer.

But because of an ever-growing casualty list, McLeish's line-up at St Andrew's this weekend made be more down to who is fit anyway.

Blues were missing Barry Ferguson, Craig Gardner and Aleksandr Hleb for last night's trip to Everton, and lost David Bentley during the game and Keith Fahey beforehand.

"I have had enforced changes, five at the weekend there, changes again last night," said McLeish.

"It wasn't the same team that played in the Carling Cup final over the last two games.

"I think definitely fatigue is playing a part, certainly in the West Brom game. Some of these guys they want to train every single day, they want to play every single game. We have played in every game of every single competition thus far.

"I know I spelled [rested] some of them in the earlier rounds of the Carling Cup, but we do have one or two who are suffering from tightness in their muscles, as well as those other injuries.

"But it's a challenge and an opportunity for players to come in.