NO NAFTI FOR TYKES VISIT

Nafti: Sidelined for Saturday

Birmingham will be without influential midfielder Mehdi Nafti for the Championship clash against Barnsley at St Andrews on Saturday.

The Tunisia international suffered a slight hamstring tear in Blues' 2-1 victory over Southampton and is set to be out for up to three weeks.

Kemy Agustien could make his debut after coming through 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek.

The 22-year-old Dutchman has been sidelined since arriving on loan from AZ Alkmaar after undergoing a hernia operation, but he may be given a place on the bench if he can prove his fitness.

Damien Johnson is set to be sidelined for at least another month with his back injury, but Radhi Jaidi and Stephen Kelly are pushing for places in the starting line-up after recovering from respective back and groin injuries.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey hopes to have Hugo Colace available for the trip.

The Argentinian has seen his Tykes debut delayed as he waits for international clearance, but Davey is expecting the issue to be resolved in time for the game.

Barnsley are certain to be without striker Iain Hume, who serves a one-match suspension following his dismissal in the 2-1 defeat to Coventry, while on-loan forward Maceo Rigters is also unavailable after suffering a hamstring strain in training.

Kayode Odejayi and Miguel Mostto are pushing for starts, although Davey is keen to keep his starting line-up under wraps.

The Barnsley boss told the club's official website: "I am going to keep my cards close to my chest, but we do have options open and could rotate or change it."

Davey confirmed Rob Kozluk will return to the squad after missing the Coventry game, but Marciano van Homoet (suspended), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (elbow), Heinz Muller, Anderson de Silva and Michael Coulson (all knee) are definitely out.