Gary Rowett: 'Wes Thomas in my plans for Reading clash'

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has insisted that striker Wes Thomas is "back in the reckoning" for a return to first-team action after completing his three-match suspension.

The 27-year-old has had to sit out the last month of action having been handed a ban for lashing out at Cardiff City centre-back Sean Morrison in October's goalless draw.

Since then the Blues have picked up a couple of wins to climb out of the bottom three, although Rowett says that the door is open for a return against Reading on Saturday should Thomas's fitness levels be at the desired level.

"It's always difficult when you miss three games, with the international break at the start of that period. He has missed almost five weeks out," he is quoted as saying by the Birmingham Mail.

"What that does is you have to assess his fitness levels, we have worked him hard, they have been working every Saturday morning when they have not been playing. We played him against Liverpool for 90 minutes in the behind-closed-doors friendly.

"I certainly think if he shows good aptitude this week in training and that fitness isn't a problem then he will certainly come back into the reckoning for this weekend."

Thomas rejoined Birmingham from Rotherham United in the summer, going on to score three goals in his 18 appearances so far this season.