Evatt blow for Seasiders
Ian Evatt has been ruled out of Blackpool's game with Birmingham at Bloomfield Road with a knee injury.
Seasiders manager Michael Appleton has confirmed the 31-year-old central defender will face up to four weeks on the sidelines after a scan revealed internal bruising on a bone in his knee.
Evatt joins Matt Phillips (toe) and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (hamstring) on the sidelines, with all three players not expected to make a return to first-team action until the Christmas period.
Appleton made two early changes in the 2-2 draw against Watford on Saturday with Tiago Gomes replacing Elliott Grandin after 29 minutes, and Ludovic Sylvestre substituted for Isaiah Osbourne at half-time.
Appleton is now faced with a selection dilemma as Osbourne scored a stoppage-time equaliser for the hosts to salvage a late point.
Kevin Phillips started the comeback in the 51st minute with his second goal of the season, and the veteran striker is set to keep his starting place alongside Nathan Delfouneso.
Birmingham boast no new injury or suspension problems.
Curtis Davies returned to the fold after his ankle injury to start Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Derby and will again be included from the off among what is likely to be an unchanged backline at Bloomfield Road.
Right-back Paul Caddis is back in full training after his shoulder injury but could not be expected to start so soon and may be on the bench, with Friday's home clash against Middlesbrough a possibility.
One man who could well have pushed his way into contention is on-loan winger Robert Hall, who stepped off the bench at Pride Park to make his City debut and caused havoc over the remaining half an hour.
Left-back David Murphy (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the season while fellow full-back Stephen Carr (knee) is also a long-term absentee.
Blues come up against Blackpool for the first time since tasting defeat in last season's play-off semi-finals, although much has changed since May, including both managers.
Source: PA
Source: PA