Phil ready to help Blues fight friendly Forest fire

PHIL Neumann is fit and raring to go ahead of Birmingham City’s final pre season friendly against Premier League Nottingham Forest.

- By ALEX DICKEN

German centre-back Neumann played in Blues’ first two friendlies of the summer, against Sevilla and Burton Albion, before an ankle injury ruled him out of the Port Vale fixture last weekend.

Neumann’s place in the Blues back-line was taken by new arrival Eiran Cashin for the 2-0 victory at Vale Park.

But Neumann is hoping to be restored to the starting lineup today when Forest come to town for the Trevor Francis Memorial Match.

Speaking the Birmingham Mail from the club's media shoot at St Andrew’s, Neumann said: “My ankle was a little bit swollen after a training session but it’s now totally fine and I've been back in training since Tuesday. I'm ready to play.”

Neumann could replace Cashin for the final friendly with Chris Davies expected to oversee a dress rehearsal for the Championship opener with Ipswich Town when Forest come to town this weekend.