Birmingham midfielder David Dunn could be as little as two weeks away from returning to first-team action after being give the all-clear to resume full training.
Dunn has been working his way back to fitness following summer surgery to cure a nerve problem in his back which was causing problems with his hamstrings.
He saw a specialist today and was given the go-ahead to take part in full training, stepping up his comeback which had been concentrating on fitness work.
Manager Steve Bruce had hoped to bring Dunn back into the first team for the home Barclays Premiership clash with Liverpool a week on Saturday but may now have to revise that target.
Birmingham are also monitoring the progress of striker Emile Heskey who limped out of the 1-0 home defeat to Charlton on Saturday with an ankle injury. A scan has revealed no serious damage and Heskey is a doubt for the trip to Portsmouth.
"Fortunately Emile's scans showed that he was okay but we're unsure at the moment whether he'll be fit for Saturday," said Bruce.
