Birmingham City's hopes of avoiding relegation have been handed a boost by the news that Sebastian Larsson has returned to training and could feature in this weekend's crunch clash with Liverpool.

The influential Swede has been sidelined for the last two weeks after picking up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Everton.

"Seb did a fair bit of running on Monday and Tuesday and the physios were pleased with his progress," City boss Alex McLeish told the club's official website.

"He's scheduled to join us on Thursday morning for training and we're optimistic about his chances of being fit for Saturday.

"Cameron Jerome did a magnificent job in the Everton game when he came on and the adrenaline was flowing and he slotted right in.

"But it was a big ask to go to Villa Park and expect him to understand the whole team pattern of playing as a wide player when really he's a centre-forward.

"To become as accomplished in the role as Seb Larsson, without the ball as opposed to with it, is an extremely difficult task, particularly in the space of a week."