Striker Pablo Couñago will miss Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at home to Wigan due to the ankle injury he sustained in training on Friday. The Blues are short of strikers with Jon Stead cup-tied after appearing for Sheffield United in the competition.

Physio Matt Byard to the club site that Couñago also might miss Saturday's live Sky game against Crystal Palace: "Pablo wanted to play at Sheffield but we couldn't let that happen.

"He has damaged the ligaments in the ankle and it's quite swollen at the moment. He certainly won't be playing against Wigan and it's looking doubtful for the weekend.

"He is seeing a specialist over the next day or so, when the swelling goes down, and we will know more then."

Wigan also have striker problems with Egyptian frontman Amr Zaki ruled out of the trip to Portman Road with a calf injury.

Also missing the game is referee Stuart Attwell. The youngest-ever Premier League referee was initially down to take control of the game but has been replaced by Mike Dean at the last minute, presumably as a result of him having been the ref who gave the non-goal to Reading at Watford on Saturday.

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