Mac considers Johnson gamble

Alex McLeish could risk playing defender Roger Johnson in Birmingham's upcoming Carling Cup clash, even though he is nursing a calf problem.

Johnson has been hindered by injury over recent weeks and manager McLeish was hoping to rest the former Cardiff player against League One side Brentford on Tuesday night ahead of Sunday's derby with Aston Villa.

However, back-up stoppers Martin Jiranek and David Murphy have picked up thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, meaning Johnson is likely to play as the Blues aim to book a spot in the quarter-finals.