Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson's knee injury is not as bad as first feared. The Sweden international limped out of Monday's 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United after being on the receiving end of a challenge from Nicky Butt.

Blues manager Alex McLeish diagnosed the problem as medial-ligament damage after the match but Larsson could be fit to face Reading in Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture.

Larsson said: "It is not a bad one. It was checked at half-time and it opened up a bit so we didn't want to risk making it any worse. I've had it before on this knee so it shouldn't be a big problem."

A relieved McLeish said: "We missed the drive and thrust of Larsson when he came off the other night. His form has been fantastic in recent weeks, his goals and his delivery from the wide areas, his work-rate. I think he has had a fantastic season and we would have hated to miss him."