Kevin Phillips out of Albion game

Kevin Phillips has been ruled out of an emotional return to Albion with Birmingham manager Alex McLeish refusing to risk the striker's fitness.

The 37-year-old had hoped to return from a pre-season thigh injury by making the Blues squad for the opening West Midlands derby of the season at the Hawthorns tomorrow.

But McLeish is unwilling to rush the former Baggies goal hero back into action despite a return to full training this week.

He said: "Kevin Phillips is not quite ready. It would have been nice to take him along to the Hawthorns.

"He's back in full training this week but he's doing a wee bit extra with the sports fitness guy Nick Davis."

New Blues signing Alexander Hleb is available to make his debut for the club tomorrow.

The midfielder signed a loan deal from Barcelona on the last day of the transfer window, but missed Blues' match against Liverpool with an ankle injury picked up while playing for Belarus.

McLeish revealed he has not yet decided what kind of role Hleb will have tomorrow.

He said: "Alexander has been looking quite good. It was great to see him on the training field, he has undoubted quality."