Stan Lazaridis is moving closer to a first-team comeback with Birmingham after stepping up his fitness rehabilitation program.

Winger Lazaridis has resumed training after a near two-month absence with the thigh injury suffered in the home game with Manchester City.

Blues manager Steve Bruce is considering arranging a practice match for the Australian international who could even come under consideration for Saturday's home Premiership meeting with Crystal Palace.

Bruce told PA Sport: "Stan has trained the last two or three days. This weekend just gone was too early for him as he has been eight weeks out.

"We need for him to be possibly involved at the end of this week. Ideally it would be nice for him to get a couple of games under his belt to see if he is OK.

"He might have a game behind closed doors. I think he has got to train for 10 days at least before we even think about him.

Bruce will find himself with an abundance of riches in the midfield area when Lazaridis, who has performed well at left-back, and Muzzy Izzet return.

But it is upfront where he is short of bodies with Clinton Morrison confirmed as being out for "21 to 28 days" after a knee operation and Mikael Forssell sidelined for the rest of the season after knee surgery.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP