McFadden Out Of Bluebirds Clash

Last updated : 17 January 2009 By Brian Cartlidge

McFadden has a throat problem and will play no part in the match at St Andrews on Saturday afternoon.

"McFadden has been struggling with his throat," Blues boss Alex McLeish has said.

"He trained the whole of last week and was ready for the Blackpool game, but unfortunately it was called-off.

"He then came in on Sunday complaining that his throat had closed up again and he's not trained all week.

"We sent him to see a specialist after the medicine never worked and it had developed into an abscess in his throat.

"The abscess burst on Wednesday night but he should be on the road to recovery at the start of next week.

"He's definitely out for the weekend."

McLeish could also be without fellow striker Marcus Bent for the game against Dave Jones' side, he aggravated an ankle injury in the home defeat to Wolves on Tuesday night, and Kevin Phillips who only started training again on Thursday having been sidelined with a hip injury.

Elsewhere, recent signing Keith Fahey will be available to make his debut following his signing from St Patricks Athletic earlier this month and David Murphy who has now finally served his one match suspension for his red card in the match against Swansea City at the end of December also come's into contention for a place in the squad.