Birmingham vs Liverpool -- McLeish's clean bill of health

Posted Sunday, April 04, 2010 by PA

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish expects to have a full squad to choose from for Sunday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

McLeish has no fresh injury worries as Blues look to defend an unbeaten home record stretching back seven months including draws with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The former Scotland boss said: "We have a couple of little niggles but we think everyone will make it."

Skipper Stephen Carr will be walking a disciplinary tightrope for the games with the Reds and Manchester City the following weekend.

Carr has picked up nine yellow cards this season and one more in either of those fixtures before a Football Association amnesty takes effect will result in a two game suspension.

Meanwhile, McLeish insists Rangers striker Kris Boyd wants to play under him again at Birmingham as he challenged his current players to stay unbeaten for the remainder of the season.

But the Blues boss admits it will come down to what is the right move for Boyd and his family this summer.

Boyd's current contract at Ibrox runs out in two months and he has already worked with McLeish when he was in charge of the Gers and Scotland.

McLeish said: "We have spoken to Kris but that was a few weeks ago and it seems to have gone a little bit quiet.

"It is still ongoing. He is talking to other clubs. I said that a couple of weeks ago - and that is still the case.

"I know Boyd would like to play for me again but it is what has got to be right for him and his family.

"We are working on a number of things now and I don't like discussing our business publicly."

McLeish could also have to look for another keeper to replace on-loan Joe Hart with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini indicating he may keep the England player at Eastlands next season.

McLeish believes Hart will not be happy if he has to return to City as number two to Shay Given after impressing during his season-long spell with Birmingham.

But he accepts the ultimate decision will come down to Mancini in terms of deciding whether Hart can return to St Andrew's for a second campaign.

McLeish said: "Will it disappoint me if Mancini keeps Joe Hart? Not half as much as it will disappoint Joe Hart if he doesn't start in the Manchester City team.

"But he is a Manchester City player, and it is up to Manchester City to make that decision. They have the rights to that player and we can only sit and twiddle our thumbs.

"If Mancini makes an early decision on that, then we have to move on it and do something else. At least it would give me time to prepare for something else and it would be great if Mancini would confirm that."

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is a doubt to face Blues as he is struggling with an ankle problem.

The injury, similar to the one which he arrived on Merseyside with in the summer after his #17million transfer from Roma, ruled the Italy international out of the Europa League tie against Benfica.

Maxi Rodriguez is likely to return to the starting line-up having been ineligible in Europe but Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are no nearer returning to fitness while Albert Riera remains frozen out after his row with manager Rafael Benitez.

Benitez hopes none of his players were injured in the battering handed out by Benfica.

His major concern before the Europa League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon was that striker Fernando Torres would get himself booked - and therefore be suspended for the second leg - if he allowed his frustration to get the better of him.

The Spain international kept his part of the bargain but it was more down to luck he was not forced off before he was substituted eight minutes from time.

He was on the receiving end of some particularly harsh treatment from centre-backs Luisao and David Luiz which left Benitez concerned for his welfare as Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson appeared to oblivious to it all.

"Fernando was fighting against the centre-backs but there were too many fouls without yellow cards," said the Liverpool boss.

"I didn't have a whistle so I couldn't stop the game.

"You just have to carry on and keep your fingers crossed."