Carsley setback for Birmingham

Birmingham midfielder Lee Carsley is set to be sidelined until the start of March with the ankle injury suffered during the FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

City boss Alex McLeish initially declined to put a time limit on how long the 34-year-old would be out of action.

But, on the day McLeish unveiled new midfielder Michel, the former Scotland boss conceded Carsley will out of action for another six weeks.

It's a blow for the Blues as Carsley has been experienced back-up for the first-choice partnership of Lee Bowyer and Barry Ferguson.

And it puts more onus on Michel to adapt quickly to life in the Barclays Premier League should either of that duo also be ruled out.

McLeish said: 'You are probably looking at Lee being out for six weeks. He has not had an operation, he is just getting daily treatment. His ankle is in a boot, is stabilised and that is going to help him more. But he doesn't need any surgery.'