Midfielder Teddy Bishop has been ruled out for two to four weeks with an ankle ligament injury but central defender Christophe Berra is expected to be OK despite picking up a knock, manager Mick McCarthy has revealed, while a number of other players and the Blues boss himself have suffered from illness during the preparations for Tuesday’s game at Birmingham.
"He’s twisted his ankle and he won’t be travelling, he’s done his ankle ligaments and he’ll be out for two to four weeks,” McCarthy said regarding Bishop, who came on as a late sub in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff at the weekend. "Christophe got a bang, but he’s alright, Christophe is fine.”
The Town manager says he and several members of his squad have been suffering with illness ahead of the trip to Birmingham.
"I’m hoping I’m going to be fit and well for it,” he said. "I’m considerably better today than I was yesterday.
"There are a few that have got sniffles and coughs and colds. Gerks went home yesterday, he was sick.
"""Wardy was feeling it a bit, I think he had a bit of a dodgy tummy and what have you.
"Skusey, a cough and a cold. Not injuries but whatever it is that’s going around the place. Hopefully they’ll all be OK.”
The visit to St Andrew’s is Town’s second game of three in eight days and McCarthy says he is considering whether to make changes, "I’ll see.”
Tommy Smith (back) is set to return to training towards the end of the month following his operation, while Luke Hyam and Giles Coke (both knee) are also continuing their rehab after surgery and Paul Digby is also out with a knee problem.
Meanwhile, Preston have confirmed the signing of Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan, a player the Blues boss recently watched in action before deciding not to take his interest any further.