Ferguson fine to face Latics

Published Feb. 25, 2010 3:40 a.m. ET

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The former Rangers captain suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Fulham and limped off in the closing stages. But Blues boss Alex McLeish is confident Ferguson will have recovered for the meeting with the Latics. He said: "Barry is fine. He's like that. He gets knocks and then says, 'What's all the fuss about, I'll be all right for next week'. "Barry, throughout his whole career, has wanted to play games, not miss them. But then all of the squad have a desire to play." Ferguson has played a key role in Birmingham establishing themselves in the top half of the table this season and formed an effective partnership with Lee Bowyer. Meanwhile, Birmingham full-back David Murphy may go out on loan in order to attain match fitness after recovering from the fractured knee cap he suffered 10 months ago. McLeish revealed there has been interest from Championship clubs and City do not have another reserve game until March 10. He said: "We could do with David going out of loan and playing some games now. "There has been a bit of interest in the Championship and he would be happy to go and get some action." Liam Ridgewell has fitted in effectively at left-back after switching from centre-back and McLeish also has Franck Queudrue and Gregory Vignal as cover in that position.