Page 11 - Jon Stead News Today

Blues boss Paul Jewell is sweating on the fitness of skipper Grant Leadbitter ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Blackpool. The midfielder hurt his hip during Wednesday’s unlucky defeat at Birmingham.

Caretaker-manager Ian McParland says Town’s players have to believe that an upset is possible when Arsenal visit Portman Road for evening’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm). The Scot is in charge of the Blues for the final time with new boss Paul Jewell watching from the stands before formally taking over on Thursday.

Town are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Tommy Miller ahead of Saturdays home game against Sheffield Wednesday. The Blues are without the suspended Veliche Shumulikoski and the injured David Wright, but Owen Garvan and Kevin Lisbie are available after illness.

A James McFadden penalty eight minutes before half-time condemned Town to their second successive home defeat as Birmingham left Portman Road with a 1-0 victory. The spotkick had been awarded for handball by Moritz Volz.

All you need to know ahead of Sunderland's Boxing Day clash against Blackburn Rovers.

Manager Mick McCarthy insists that Town are still in a relegation scrap ahead of the visit of Bristol City, one position and five points behind the 20th-placed Blues.

Boss Mick McCarthy has no injuries ahead of Saturday’s home game against Bristol City at Portman Road, however, he says he expects to have to utilise his full squad with the festive fixtures coming thick and fast.

Town manager Jim Magilton says his players must go into Wednesdays game at home to Bristol City aiming to get Sundays dismal derby display and defeat out of their system. The loss to the Canaries saw the Blues drop to 13th in the table.

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s not looking for the FA to take any retrospective action against Sheffield Wednesday skipper Glenn Loovens for the horror challenge which will see David McGoldrick sidelined for a month.

HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Villa Park by delving into their forums.