Birmingham striker Christian Benitez is unlikely to return home from Ecuador for Saturday's Premier League clash at Burnley after flying home to be with his father who was injured in a road accident. The player is due to join up with the national squad on Sunday and is expected to stay. Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "I spoke to the guy who helped Christian through his deal when he came here. He said Christian went to see his father in hospital last night. He expected to hear from him last night but never had any communication. So it looks as if it is going to be difficult to get him back for this weekend given the fact he would then be leaving us again on Sunday to go back to Ecuador for World Cup games.

"We understand his father is not in danger and that's the biggest concern. He got shunted from behind in the accident, got a head wound and a neck injury and we wish him a speedy recovery. "We should hear more later today but, given this is Thursday, it will be very difficult. We have plenty of options. We would have liked him to be one of the options but, if it is not to be, we have to deal with it and we have good players who can slot in there."