Birmingham still battling injury worries ahead of Blackburn FA Cup clash

Birmingham’s injury problems are showing signs of easing – but not in time for their FA Cup clash with Blackburn.

Help is on the horizon with Jake Clarke-Salter (shoulder) back in training and fellow defender Marc Roberts (ankle) set to follow him after this weekend’s third round tie.

Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld should also return to training next week after eight months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

Blues boss Pep Clotet will have an unchanged squad for the cup and has vowed not to make “wholesale changes” to his team as Birmingham look to halt a six-match winless run which has included five defeats.

Blackburn are set to be without injured duo Corry Evans and Ryan Nyambe for the trip to St Andrew’s.

Nyambe has not fully recovered from a groin injury sustained during the league game against Birmingham on Boxing Day and will not be risked, while Evans has a slight knee problem

Midfielder Lewis Holtby has missed Rovers’ last two matches with a muscle injury and is expected to remain out.

Bradley Dack, Greg Cunningham, Joe Grayson and Danny Butterworth remain long-term injuries.