Relegation threatened Birmingham will have midfielder Barry Ferguson back to full fitness for the season run-in. The former Scotland captain suffered a broken rib but has continued to play by taking painkillers for the past six weeks.
But now City boss Alex McLeish is confident the former Rangers player is over his setback ahead of Saturday's home clash with fellow strugglers Sunderland.
McLeish said: "Ferguson has his rib problem and was taking big injections to play. But he is good now, feeling like brand new.
"Barry said he still gets the odd twinge but he is pretty much over it."
McLeish has an open mind over the theory that British players, like Ferguson, are more prepared to play when less than 100% fit than foreign stars.
He said: "I have played with players at Aberdeen and we started bringing foreigners into the team.
"They were great players but they wouldn't play if they weren't 100%. But I am not blaming the foreigners for that. They are great players and they don't take some of the chances we do.
"But maybe we are the daft ones - us Brits.
"I always remember going through it myself, playing when not 100%, and thinking 'I wish I hadn't played today' if I had a nightmare."
