Chris Hughton rues the absence of stars

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton today admitted the absence of key players proved costly as his side exited the FA Cup last night.

Goals from Juan Mata and Raul Meireles helped Chelsea to a 2-0 victory at St Andrew's in a fifth-round replay that set up a home quarter-final tie with Championship side Leicester.

"We knew it was going to be a tough ask and we went into the game with some injury problems," said Hughton, who made eight changes.

"David Murphy's absence was a big blow along with Stephen Carr and Stevie Caldwell plus our three loan players were ineligible.

"It was a little bit different for Chelsea. They can leave the players that they did out of the team and still field a real quality 11.

"Irrespective of beating a Championship team, they could have beaten a Premier League team with the quality that they've got.

"Of course, the first goal and then the second from Chelsea made things really difficult for us and we were chasing the game.

"But I couldn't fault the effort that my players put in."