Blues handed stopper fitness boost

Alex McLeish has been boosted by the news Nicky Hunt has recovered from a hamstring strain in time for Birmingham's visit of Watford.

The full-back, who is on loan from Premier League Bolton, was forced out of last weekend's draw at Wolves as a precaution when he felt his hamstring. However with no tear found, he can now line up to face the Hornets at St Andrews this weekend.

It is scheduled to be Hunt's final game before he returns to the Reebok Stadium, but McLeish has already admitted he would like to extend the loan deal. In the meantime he must decide whether to start him or the fit-again Stuart Parnaby against Watford.

McLeish told the Birmingham Mail: "Nicky felt it a bit towards the end of the first-half at Wolves, and his fear was that if he had carried on the hamstring would have torn."

"I felt he was looking good until then, as were the team, and having to put Mehdi Nafti there probably cost us a wee bit.

"Nicky reported in on Monday okay and it seems it was just a strain, so he should be ready for Saturday. It's now a bit of a dilemma for me because he has done well for us, Saturday's the last game of his loan, and Stuart is now fit.

"I will have to speak [to the board] about it [the loan] because although Stuart has been excellent for us this season, do I take the risk and hope there is no injury in the next month or so?

"I think with six games in the month, maybe we need to cover ourselves and have as strong a squad as possible.

"Nicky is a quality player and he has brought Premier League experience to us in his time here."