Murphy missed all of last season after rupturing a knee cap and has been understudy to Liam Ridgewell during the current campaign. He could only look on as Alex McLeish's side lifted the Carling Cup a fortnight ago but has featured in the FA Cup and is in line to start Saturday's home quarter-final with Bolton. Murphy said: "I did wonder if I would ever get back fully fit again. "When the injury initially happened, it was at the end of the season so you've just got to go away and recuperate. "But I would say after Christmas time just over a year ago, when I was looking to push back in the side and had a setback, that was the worst part. "There were a couple of setbacks along the way and I spoke to the surgeon but thankfully we resolved the problem and, touch wood, I haven't had a problem with the knee for a year now. "For me, to have the chance to get to Wembley is extra special after the injury. "The FA Cup is one of the major competitions in the world. Everyone watches it and to play in an FA Cup final or semi-final would be fantastic. "It is just great to be back playing and back involved all the time. I'd love to get more game time but we will have to see what happens." Murphy was a young player with Middlesbrough in 1997 when they got to both domestic cup finals and were relegated. But he is confident City will survive even if they do make a return to Wembley at the expense of Owen Coyle's side. He said: "I was at both of those finals with Boro. "It wasn't very nice and then for the club to get relegated was a horrible feeling, the worst feeling. "Birmingham don't want to do that. If it meant us surviving in the Premier League and getting knocked out of the cup, I think everyone would take that. "But relegation is a word that no one mentions in the dressing room. We never contemplate relegation. "Everyone is that positive and close together and we are very confident we will stay in the league." Murphy added: "Bolton have had a fine season and we know it will be a difficult game. "But this game is another massive one for the club. To reach another major semi-final would be a great achievement for the club, the fans and the players. "We're certainly 100 per cent focused on this game." McLeish will check on the fitness of a host of players before naming his side. Lee Bowyer, David Bentley, Keith Fahey, Stephen Carr, Ridgewell, Craig Gardner and Nikola Zigic are all rated doubtful. Alexander Hleb, plus long terms casualties Scott Dann and James McFadden, are definitely ruled out. McLeish will take a late decision on whether to include Barry Ferguson who has had an injection to ease the pain from his broken rib.
