Rudy Gestede showed why he is reported to be interesting a number of Premier League sides with the crucial goal as Blackburn sent nine-man Swansea tumbling out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.

How the Irish fared

Former Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer has put his infamous on-field clash with team-mate Kieron Dyer down to a "moment of madness".

Former Newcastle manager Graeme Souness is not surprised the pressure on current boss Alan Pardew is intensifying.

No matter what else the television sports year offers up, we think we saw its most delightful touch last Saturday night.

A jury is continuing to consider its verdicts for a third day in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

A jury is continuing to consider its verdicts in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

A jury has been sent out to consider its verdicts in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

As swansongs go, they don’t come much bigger for Alan Judge than Manchester City’s visit to Ewood Park today.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher believes caretaker Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has been thrust into a mission “to save the club” after taking over from the sacked Michael Appleton.

Blackburn will today hold talks with Michael Appleton over becoming their third manager this season after he was granted permission to speak to the Blackpool boss.

There have been calls for John Terry to stand aside as England skipper until the conclusion of his court case later this year.

Nottingham Forest boss Steve McClaren had blamed off-field “squabbling” for his side’s poor start in the npower Championship this week and they responded by going down without a fight at Burnley.

TWO of Waterford’s most famous sons, singers Val Doonican and Brendan Bowyer, were conferred with the Freedom of the City in a joint ceremony at the city hall last evening.

Birmingham have confirmed the release of Kevin Phillips, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer following the club’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Birmingham’s top scorer Craig Gardner and defender Liam Ridgewell return after two and one-match suspensions respectively for the Premier League clash at Tottenham on Sunday.

Birmingham will be without leading scorer Craig Gardner and defender Liam Ridgewell through suspension for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham at St Andrew’s.

Newcastle 2 Birmingham 1

Steven Taylor returns to the Newcastle starting line-up against Birmingham as the Magpies attempt to mathematically secure their Premier League status.

Birmingham will be without leading scorer Craig Gardner for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

FT: Birmingham 1 Wolves 1

Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic could return for the Premier League derby with relegation rivals Wolves at St Andrew’s on Sunday.

KENNY is back, and he’s brought the ‘80s with him. The Kop were in Depeche mode and the away end responded with Pigbag. A team in all red passed, moved and hunted the opposition in packs. The visitors rolled over, realising that resistance was useless.

Birmingham will be boosted by the return from injury of central defender Martin Jiranek for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Fernando Torres has failed to earn a recall for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League game against Birmingham tonight as Carlo Ancelotti makes just one change from Saturday’s win at West Brom.

Blackburn 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham winger David Bentley and defender Martin Jiranek have been ruled out of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at Blackburn.

Birmingham 2 Bolton 1

Birmingham’s leading scorer Nikola Zigic and midfielder Lee Bowyer are poised to return for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.

FROM defeating Arsenal to win the Carling Cup to plummeting down the table after defeat at rock bottom Wigan, Birmingham’s season is in serious danger of imploding.

Birmingham’s injury crisis has eased ahead of the Premier League relegation battle at Wigan on Saturday.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will check on the fitness of a host of players before naming his side for tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final with Bolton at St Andrew’s.

BIRMINGHAM moved out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after holding Everton to a draw at Goodison Park last night.

Birmingham defender Martin Jiranek is set to return for the Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow evening.

Birmingham 1 West Brom 3

Birmingham’s midfield duo of Barry Ferguson and Craig Gardner are major injury doubts for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom.

Birmingham have told midfielder Lee Bowyer he will not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires this summer.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has recovered from a hamstring injury to captain the side in today’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham at Wembley.

Alexander Hleb is Birmingham’s major injury concern ahead of Sunday’s Carling Cup final clash with his former club Arsenal at Wembley.

Birmingham 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will ring the changes for the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury worries as his side search for a third successive Barclays Premier League win against Newcastle tomorrow.

Birmingham newcomer Obafemi Martins is included in the squad for the first time for Saturday’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke after the Nigerian obtained a visa this week.

Winston Reid replaced the injured Danny Gabbidon in defence for West Ham as they looked to climb out of the relegation zone with a vital win over fellow strugglers Birmingham at Upton Park.