Lee Carsley is carried of against Forest

Alex McLeish said today that he expects Lee Carsley to be on the sidelines for up to six weeks with his ankle injury.

The midfielder damaged his ankle ligaments in the original third round FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest at the City ground just under two weeks ago.

"Lee is probably looking at six weeks," said the Blues boss.

"He's getting daily treatment.

"He's also wearing a special boot, but he's stabilised and that's going to help him more than an operation."

McLeish also reported on the status of other players on the sidelines - Stuart Parnaby (back muscle), David Murphy (knee) and Teemu Tainio (knee).

Stuart Parnaby

"Parns is working away and was training individually this morning, albeit with the phyios," he said.

"Murphy is at a good level now.

"He got a bang in the eye a couple of weeks ago which set him back and he wasn't able to play contact football and certainly not allowed to head the ball.

"He's certainly got another week of non-contact to go, but he's running well and looking much, much better and he looks happier in himself.

"Hopefully 2010 is better for him.

"And Tainio is beginning to train in his rehab as well, but there's still a wee while before he's ready."

Meanwhile the only other injured player not accounted for is Garry O'Connor who is out for some time with a hip problem.