MICK McCarthy says the omission of Adam Hammill at Blues was merely a ‘selection issue’ and he backs Michael Kightly to make an impact over the second half of the season.

Hammill had been impressive against Chelsea on a rare start but was not in the 18 at St Andrew’s.

“The talk is always about the players who are left out,” said manager McCarthy, who also suggested his decision to omit Adlene Guedioura was purely one of selection.

“I’ve got 25 players, well, actually more for the FA Cup because I can play anybody.

“That was my selection on Saturday.

“I thought when I’ve got Michael Kightly coming back and he was the hero here for a long time; Stephen Hunt, who scored the goal that kept us in the Premier League; and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Kevin Doyle, who was our talisman for a long, long time, then don’t talk to me about the ones who didn’t play.

“I’m more interested the ones that did.”

Kightly enjoyed a fine second half at Blues.

“He went out on loan for that, and I thought he did fine,” continued McCarthy.