Sick Gardner Earns Managers Praise

McLeish revealed after the match that Gardner, who scored Blues' equalising goal, had been ill prior to the game at St Andrews on Saturday afternoon and was only passed fit enough to play on the morning of the match.

"Craig was ill on Friday and he was a doubt on Saturday morning," the Blues boss said.

"There has been a virus going about and Craig was a victim. He was supposed to come in for a fitness test but told the doctor he was okay.

"He started sluggishly but he got his second wind and became a threat.

"It was a great strike from him for the goal, and, being a Birmingham fan, I know what it will mean to him."