The Blues will again be without midfielder Jimmy Bullard when they face Birmingham at St Andrew’s on Wednesday with the 33-year-old still not entirely over his virus. Central defender Damien Delaney and midfielder Lee Bowyer are also set to miss out, while new loan keeper Alex McCarthy will start.

Manager Paul Jewell said: “Jimmy’s not very good, shame on some people who were sniggering that he had a ‘New Year’s illness’. He’s been very ill Jimmy, very ill.

“He came in on Sunday and was sent straight home. He tried to try and do some running but it was no good. He’s been very ill, it’s wiped him out completely and he’s been worried. He won’t be considered for Wednesday. It’s a nasty virus.”

Bowyer seems likely to miss the next two or three games: “Lee’s torn his abductor, he can’t do anything at the minute, so I think he’ll be at least a couple of weeks.”

Delaney hobbled off in the first half at Hull on Saturday and Jewell doesn’t expect the Irishman to be involved tomorrow: “He’s a major doubt. He’s hurt the foot he had the operation on and I wouldn’t have thought he’d be available on Wednesday.”

The Town manager says that the formalities have been tied up regarding new loan keeper Alex McCarthy and he will start at St Andrew’s: “That’s all been resolved and he’ll be in the team at Birmingham.”

Meanwhile, Jewell dismissed claims of interest in Leeds defender Andy O'Brien and Norwich's Aaron Wilbraham but says he has spoken to Derby midfielder Paul Green’s representative: “Greeny’s agent rang me when I was on the way to Hull, trying to tell me what type of player he is, so I let him go on for 10 minutes before telling him I signed him at Derby — ‘Oh, did you?’.

“I know all about Paul Green,” he added. “He’s a good footballer but he’s not one that we’ve enquired about.”

The Blues boss was at the Arsenal-Leeds FA Cup tie last night with Whites’ striker Ross McCormack, a 74th minute sub at the Emirates, previously rumoured to be a possible Blues target.

Asked about links with McCormack, Jewell said: “There’s been mentions of lots of people. Ross McCormack scored against us this year, scored a few goals for Cardiff. But we’ve got a few players on the radar who haven’t been mentioned.”

Jewell says that he's yet to receive any offers for current members of his squad.

Photo: Action Images

buryblue77 added 13:59 - Jan 10 Southamptonblue, someone who knows what he's talking about!
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Tractastic added 14:20 - Jan 10 Without question Jimmy is a class act and lets not forget how important he was in keeping us in the championship last season. I agree with the posts who say he has been played slightly out of position this season and for some reason PJ just doesn't seem to be motivating him and getting the best out of him this season. Also as good as Andrews was in getting us goals i can't help feel his loan spell had an adverse effect on Jimmy's performances as i think he plays better when he is running the midfield. There is no doubt that we need Jimmy at his best to get us out of this mess and i do believe he is ill and he's NOT a bottler.When you consider how many injuries he has had and the frustrations he must have gone through he will be wanting to play every single game he can.You can tell he loves playing. Lets hope he recovers soon and PJ give him the armband and get the team formation that plays to his strengths.Lets all get behind him.He's the only real class player we have and we need him at his best to keep us in this league. Going down would be a disaster.

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tractorboybig added 15:17 - Jan 10 I think you are all putting to much on this mans shoulders. A has been who was in his zenith last season. We all grow old and go down hill.
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bigolconnor added 15:57 - Jan 10 Get well soon jimmy. For anyone who says poor lee-Barrett I hope they are talking about his ability. He is a woeful keeper. Anything that can be done this month to keep us up is a good thing. Thank god we have another keeper, even if its short term. Thanks go to Arran for stepping up though.
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kerryblue added 16:19 - Jan 10 You are a greedy lazy waste of space Jimmy and havent the belly for a battle,you proved the same at Fulham & Hull.
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jas0999 added 17:17 - Jan 10 Hull fans did warn us! Now he has his lovely two year contract Bullard doesn't care less about us. Yet another poor signing by PJ. Now, all he can attract is loans - who would want to commit their future to such a disgraceful manager. Very few. The longer PJ stays - the more the mess. I can see season ticket renewal time being interesting - I predict less than 10K season tickets with crowds of 12K MAX if PJ is in charge. Even a win tomorrow will not excuse the second worst manager in the clubs history - based on statistics from the first year in charge - a 49% LOSS RATIO - simply terrible.

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Brockleyblue added 18:45 - Jan 10 Nice headline Phil, but I think the Smiths reference might be a bit lost on Jimmy... He's no Joey Barton.
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h32 added 19:32 - Jan 10 This may be genuine illness - but our 'player of the year' ( just wanted to remind some supporters of that who voted for him !!!! ) - really doesn't want to play I guess. Not alone either - as is being shown by others. I really have no idea why !! - but I haven't thought too hard about it ........... intentionally of course.
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itfcjc added 22:05 - Jan 10 Jimmy just can't be arsed to play he's not ill
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TractorBoy666 added 00:37 - Jan 11 @StowTractorBoy I agree, he hasn't done too much except the Derby game. Bad positioning at the weekend against Hull. Also get well soon Jimmy!
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blue979 added 00:57 - Jan 11 if jimmys ill then get well soon,however if he's taking the pith,he need's to let the town faithful know whats going on?
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brittaniaman added 08:17 - Jan 11 Get well soon Jimmy, because the way things are going nobody new is going to board a sinking ship ????? that is why we need you Jimmy, and all hands who are already on board to pull there weight, and( when /if ) we get out of this mess, players will sign for us and not Loanees !!!!!! One cannot expect contracts etc. to be signed because we do not know what division we will be in next season, we are in a perilous position at the moment... Jewellio says a SMALL SECTION of fans want him out, he certainly has not put an appearance in town lately then ????????????

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