ELC Preview : Birmingham v Portsmouth

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(Game Time 19:45 GMT)

Zigic could make Pompey clash

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton has confirmed he is "hopeful, but not overly optimistic'' that Nikola Zigic will be available for the game against Portsmouth.

Striker Zigic sustained a knee injury while scoring his fourth goal of the game against Leeds and subsequently missed the weekend stalemate with Southampton but will undergo a late fitness test.

Zigic remains Blues' only injury worry, but Chris Hughton does have some selection headaches as City look to take advantage of their game in hand.

Guirane N'Daw played 90 minutes against Saints despite recently returning from the African Nations Cup, so may be rested. He could be replaced by either Nathan Redmond or Wade Elliot in a move which could see Jordon Mutch switched back inside to centre-midfield.

Alternatively, Hughton may revert to 4-4-2 and start Adam Rooney, who scored twice in the FA Cup win over Sheffield United.

Stephen Carr was an unused substitute against Leeds but he may have to wait to make his first appearance since picking up a knee injury in December.

Portsmouth will be without Aaron Mokoena, Luke Varney and David Norris.

Defender Mokoena has yet to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered against West Ham three weeks ago and striker Varney remains sidelined with a knee problem which has kept him out since mid-December.

Midfielder Norris sits out the final game of a three-match ban after Saturday's clash with Hull was postponed due to the bad weather, although he would have been absent anyway as he is recovering from a hernia op.

But centre-half Ricardo Rocha and forward Dave Kitson have shaken off bugs and will be available along with midfielder Joel Ward (toe) and defenders Jason Pearce (buttock) and Tal Ben Haim (hip).

-- Courtesy of ESPNSoccernet