Full-back Fabian Wilnis will return to the Town side in place of injured centre-half Jason De Vos when they take on Leicester City at the Walkers Stadium on Tuesday night. Striker Darren Bent is also expected to be back after a rapid recovery from his hamstring injury.

Wilnis has missed the last three games after receiving a three-match ban for his red card against Plymouth.

The Dutchman is likely to play in his right-back role with Jason De Vos set to be rested due to the hairline fracture of his toe picked up in last week's Canada defeat against Costa Rica.

Boss Joe Royle says he wants De Vos to get back to full fitness despite a fine performance against Burnley: "He did a great job for us but I don't think I want to risk him again so soon. He had a painkilling injection and we need to let the injury heal."

De Vos's absence will see Drissa Diallo move to centre-half alongside Richard Naylor.

The Blues will also be without Kelvin Davis, however, the keeper isn't too far away from a return after his back problem and could play for the reserves at Charlton on Wednesday. Lewis Price will keep his place in goal with Shane Supple on the again very inexperienced bench.

Frontman Bent is surprisingly available after picking up a hamstring injury when in England U21 duty. A scan showed it was only a strain and not a tear, however the 20-year-old wasn't expected back until Saturday at least.

However, having made a swift recovery, Bent will reclaim his place up front with Shefki Kuqi, Dean Bowditch joining Pablo Couñago as a sub.

Tuesday's referee is Tony Leake from Lancashire. So far this season he has shown 29 yellow cards and two red in 11 games. He last refereed the Blues in the 2-1 win at Watford last September.

Likely squad: Price, Supple, Wilnis, Richards, Mitchell, Diallo, Naylor, Collins, Magilton, Horlock, Miller, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi, Bowditch, Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

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