Staurt Parnaby in action against Portsmouth last night

Alex McLeish has spoken of his disappointment at seeing defender Stuart Parnaby suffer another injury blow.

The full back was forced to hobble off the pitch minutes after the half time break during last night's 2-1 win at Portsmouth.with an ankle injury.

It was Parnaby's first appearance for Blues in three months and just his ninth start of the season in what has been an injury ravaged 2009/10 campaign for the former Middlesbrough man.

"Stuart has had a wretched season with injuries," said McLeish.

"He seemed to have turned the corner over the last few weeks.

"A lot of the problems he's had have been with his back, groin and muscle injuries but this was an impact injury and something he couldn't avoid and his ankle took quite a knock.

"I'm really gutted for Stuart because he was excellent before he went off.

"In the last couple of weeks he had felt as good as he had all season.

"Because of his back and groin problems we realigned his frame by putting orthotics in his boots which has really helped him and he felt good about himself.

"I just hope this latest injury doesn't keep him out for too long because he was looking back to his sharpest."