Gabriel Heinze may return to action before the end of the season after taking a huge step in his recovery from cruciate knee ligament damage.
The Argentine international has been out of action since September's draw with Villarreal, but assistant manager Carlos Queiroz told the Club's pre-Birmingham press conference that Heinze is now back on the training pitch.
"Gabi has begun his preparations on the pitch from the fitness point of view," he told the assembled media. "We won't rush him and will follow his recovery progress week by week.
"We still believe he can play before the end of the season," he added.
Queiroz also revealed that Wes Brown will miss Sunday's match and the midweek clash with West Ham with his persistant groin injury.
