Burnley vs Birmingham City injury news - as three players confirmed out and six doubtful

Birmingham City get their festive football underway as they head northwest to play Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday. Blues, who have soared themselves into the top half reckoning, will be full of confidence ahead of the clash after a thrilling 3-2 win over Championship playoff hopefuls Reading last time out.

John Eustace’s side are unbeaten in the two games played since returning from a four-week break from action, but it will be tough to keep the streak going with Burnley at the summit of the table as things stand. The Clarets, who have scored more goals than any other side with 46, have won four of their last five fixtures and lost just two all season.

The hosts will still be without experienced midfielder Ashley Westwood for the clash on December 27, however, as the 32-year-old continues to recover from a long-term ankle injury. Nathan Tella is touch and go after missing two games through illness, while Manuel Benson is available despite being forced off early against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Belgian-born winger Anass Zaroury is a doubt as he will not have had long to build fitness after playing just 26 minutes for Morocco at the World Cup. Forward man Scott Twine is ready to start for Burnley again after he made a cameo appearance at Old Trafford.

Birmingham look set to welcome back top scorer Scott Hogan on Tuesday after the striker missed the 3-2 win over Reading because of a hamstring strain. Speaking ahead of that game, Eustace said: “There’s an outside chance he will be available and if not hopefully in the next week he will be back in with the group.”

Midfield man Gary Gardner has been playing with the Under 21s to build fitness but he is a doubt still, as is central defender Harlee Dean, who has been back in training following a calf problem. Przemyslaw Placheta is unavailable with a long-term shin injury, meanwhile George Friend was close to a return but suffered a setback before Reading. Nico Gordon should have had long enough to build fitness.

Ruled out: Westwood (BURN); Placheta, Friend (BCFC).

Doubts: Tella, Zaroury (BURN); Hogan, Gardner, Dean, Gordon (BCFC).