McLeish thankful to Finland boss

Mikael Forssell has not scored since his hat-trick against Spurs

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has thanked Finland coach Stuart Baxter for his handling of Mikael Forssell.

Forssell was substituted by Baxter in Wednesday night's game against Sweden, but McLeish revealed that the striker's withdrawal was purely precautionary.

"He's already been playing games and I think it's great management that he's taken him off," McLeish told BBC WM.

"Stuart knows all about the rigours of international and club football. He knows Mikael has a very stern run-in."

While Forssell is likely to be fit to face Manchester City at the weekend, McLeish revealed that Olivier Kapo is not yet ready to return from a hamstring injury.

"He won't be back yet," said McLeish. "Wigan next Saturday is the game we're targeting for Kapo. It's disappointing because we can't afford to be without players of his quality.

"We have to get on with it and try and get three points this Saturday."

Blues are also without Liam Ridgewell, who starts a two-match suspension after clocking up his 10th booking of the campaign in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Reading.

Martin Taylor is available but unlikely to replace him as McLeish is keen to give him at least one more reserve game before considering a recall for the first time since the Eduardo incident a month ago.