Fulham Fulham manager Chris Coleman will go into Tuesday's crucial home clash with Birmingham agonising over the fitness of striker Luis Boa Morte.
Boa Morte is still struggling with a hamstring and related foot injury and Coleman believes the clash with City at Craven Cottage may have come just too early for the forward.
However, Coleman will leave Boa Morte's selection to the last possible moment as he looks to the same squad on duty against Arsenal on Boxing Day.
Coleman is almost certain to recall the rested Steed Malbranque and Sylvain Legwinski against the Blues.
Birmingham Birmingham manager Steve Bruce will have to fill the gap caused by David Dunn's latest hamstring setback.
Dunn is facing another lengthy lay-off after limping out of the home Boxing Day triumph over Middlesbrough. Darren Anderton and Stephen Clemence will come into contention to deputise.
Striker Emile Heskey is also a doubt after suffering a tight hamstring although his withdraw was more of a precaution given the heavy fixture schedule ahead.
Clinton Morrison may operate as the lone out and out striker but he is bubbling with confidence after scoring in each of his last four starts.