Blues Squad Playing For Wembley Places

Birmingham face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup this afternoon in a game that just might have some of the importance taken off it because of a Wembley appearance that is already booked next week, but boss Alex McLeish hopes his side are fully focused on the Owls game.

With McLeish still not knowing his final line-up for the all important game against Arsenal next week, he has told his players that the way they perform against Gary Megson`s men could determined whether they get a Wembley place or not.

McLeish told the Daily Telegraph: "Saturday`s match will provide an edge for players coming into the side. But there is great pride in this squad, regardless of the fact the Carling Cup final is being played next week. They have that pride that they want to win whichever game they participate in - and that includes ones in training.

"There hasn`t been a different approach from people because we are in a cup final. We demand an intensity in training, demand they train the way they play, and that`s still evident.

"I`m not going to the cup final to be sympathetic to people. I`m not going to be thinking, 'I need to play him because he did well in that round`. I`ve got to pick a team I think will win the cup and places are up for grabs."

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