Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce was forced to pull Jordan Mutch out of last night's Carling Cup squad for their defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

Bruce had hoped to involved the 15 year-old prospect, but was blocked by FA laws yesterday morning before the squad travelled north. Premier League laws allow clubs to field players of 15 years of age, while the cut-off for the FA - which runs the League Cup - is 16.

Mutch joined Blues in the summer from Derby County on academy chief Terry Westley's recommendation after Blues paid County a fee for him.

Westley told Brum's website: "Jordon's style looks like a cross between Michael Carrick and Steven Gerrard.

"He's a tough uncompromising kid and if he has to put his foot in he'll do that.

"He's mentally very tough with himself, he demands high standards and really pushes himself both in training and after training.

"I've known him from nine years of age and David Sullivan and Karren Brady deserve a lot of credit in helping to bring him in from Derby in the summer."