Birmingham City head into a crucial Second City derby this weekend, with both sides believing that they are in with an outside chance of making the play-offs, but the Blues will have to do without loan midfielder Gary Gardner, after parent club Aston Villa refused permission for the 26-year-old to play.

While the Blues are just four points off the Championship play-off spots, the Villans are six points behind sixth-placed Bristol City, so the losers on Sunday could be well out of the top-six race.

So is the loss of Gardner a loss for Birmingham?

We discuss.....

Gary Hutchinson

“Incredibly hard blow to take.

“He’s found a home at Birmingham and I’d be surprised if they didn’t try to make it permanent in the summer, if they’re allowed.

“He’s going to be a big miss for them, they’ve got a threadbare squad anyway.

“It could swing things in Villa’s favour.”

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Jay Taylor

“It is considering he has struck up a solid partnership with Kieftenbeld in the middle of the park.

“Without him, a change will need to be made to a pairing that have been the same for the majority of the season.

“It’s a kick in the teeth but gives the Blues an incentive to overcome the odds.”

Sam Rourke

"It's frustrating for the Blues.

"Gardner has impressed this season at Birmingham, and has turned into a key cog in their midfield.

"It's a big miss and it could play into Aston Villa's hands."