Birmingham expect to welcome Sebastian Larsson back into their first team for Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at St Andrews.The Sweden midfielder missed Blues' last game as they were hammered 5-1 by local rivals Aston Villa to leave them stranded in 18th place, one point behind Bolton and Reading with three games remaining.

Larsson has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the club and the news that he has returned to training after shaking off a knee problem will be warmly welcomed by Blues boss Alex McLeish.

"Seb did a fair bit of running on Monday and Tuesday and the physios were pleased with his progress," McLeish told the club's website.

"He is scheduled to join us tomorrow [Thursday] morning for training.

"We are optimistic about his chances of being fit for Saturday."

Striker Cameron Jerome was forced to deputise for Larsson and although McLeish has been pleased with the effort of the former Cardiff man, he will be delighted to have a natural midfielder back at his disposal.

"Cameron Jerome did a magnificent job in the Everton game when he came on and the adrenaline was flowing and he slotted right in," added McLeish.

"But it was a big ask to go to Villa Park and expect him to understand the whole team pattern of playing as a wide player when really he is a centre forward.

"To become as accomplished in the role as Seb Larsson, without the ball as opposed to with it, is an extremely difficult task, particularly in the space of a week."

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