Wayne Rooney has handed his Birmingham players individual fitness programmes but has decided against making them report for full training this week.
Blues have lost four and drawn one of their first five matches under Rooney, with the 3-1 reverse at Sunderland on November 11 the latest defeat.
Rooney has attempted to overhaul Blues’ style of play since replacing John Eustace, who had taken the side to sixth in the Championship when he was sacked on October 9. Blues are now 18th and face bottom club Sheffield Wednesday at home after the international break.