Kerr tried to practice at the weekend but to no avail

Birmingham have conceded defeat in their attempts to have Chris Kerr fit for the Premier Trophy Final.

The Brummies travel to Newcastle for the first leg on Sunday, with the return at Perry Barr three days later.

Kerr has been out of action for two months after breaking his leg in a fall, but was expected to be fit.

"This is a bit like a bombshell because we were planning on having him back by now - it's taken us by surprise," said Brummies boss Graham Drury.

He added: "He couldn't complete a lap on the bike so we have had to look at alternatives and in Lee Smart we have a lad who is in form and knows the club well."

Smart is a Birmingham asset spending the season on loan in the Premier League at Stoke.

He also doubles up as the Dudley Heathens skipper in the National League and will have further chance to experience conditions at the Brummies' Perry Barr track when the Heathens host Isle of Wight there on Wednesday.

No fresh date has been set for the return to the saddle of the Californian Kerr.

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