Blues ace Murphy on the mend

Murphy fractured a knee cap during the Championship clash with Watford in April. But he tasted his first action since then when playing 45 minutes of a behind closed doors friendly with Hereford at the club's Wast Hills training ground. Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "David was blowing a bit after 45 minutes. He felt his legs. They were almost jelly-like. "But it is good progress for him because two months ago he was in despair after suffering a setback. He was really down at that stage." McLeish is confident Kevin Phillips will be back available in another 10 days after the veteran striker suffered a minor groin tear. Phillips was ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup win at Everton and tonight's Barclays Premier League clash at Chelsea. McLeish said: "Kevin has had a chronic groin during the last few weeks and it flared up a bit in a challenge during a practice match on Friday. "But I don't think he will need surgery. It is a grade one tear which means it shouldn't keep him out too long. It is a 10-day job."