IF ever Ian Holloway required a show of support from his players this was the occasion. The Leicester City manager could not have been presented with a more emphatic demonstration that he has their complete backing at the Walkers Stadium.

MICK McCARTHY and Roy Keane had to settle for a point each as Sunderland came from behind to claim a draw against Wolves at Molineux last night.

TONY MOWBRAY spelt out his delight at marking his first match as West Brom manager with victory over Wolves in the Black Country derby and then challenged his players “let’s keep this going”.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has major injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea at St Andrews.

Birmingham City 0 Liverpool 7

Mohamed Sissoko was back in the Liverpool starting line-up to face Birmingham just a month after the eye injury against Benfica which had left him blind for 36 hours.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Nicky Butt are major fitness doubts for Tuesday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield.

Birmingham are facing a central defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s vital Premiership meeting with Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland at St Andrews.

Stoke 0 Birmingham 1

Birmingham will have striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Damien Johnson back available after suspension for the trip to face Stoke on Sunday.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey was ruled out through suspension so Blues boss Steve Bruce opted for an attack led by Mikael Forssell and Chris Sutton against West Ham at Upton Park.

Birmingham are set to be without striker Emile Heskey for Monday’s Barclays Premiership clash at West Ham – he is in danger of being suspended for the clash as he faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing today after being charged with misconduct following his sending-off against Arsenal last weekend.

JULIAN GRAY headed Birmingham into the fifth round of the FA Cup after Steve Bruce’s side took advantage of the fact that promotion-chasing Reading was resting most of its first-team players.

David Dunn’s injury nightmare continues with the Birmingham midfielder out for a minimum of three weeks with the calf injury suffered against Liverpool in midweek.

Chris Sutton’s debut for Birmingham has been put on ice for a week after his free transfer move from Celtic until the end of the season.

Birmingham will have to make at least two changes from the side which earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Manchester United for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Birmingham defender Jamie Clapham is to have an x-ray to determine the extent of the knee problem suffered during last night’s draw with Manchester United.

Birmingham 2 Manchester United 2

Birmingham 2 Manchester United 2

Tonight's Premiership teams

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell has suffered another injury setback and is rated doubtful for the Boxing Day encounter at White Hart Lane.

Striker Mikael Forssell returns to the Birmingham squad for the Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City after a month out with a thigh injury.

Jamie Clapham insisted he was not upset about losing his place at left-back to Marcos Painter – and he wants to be regarded as a midfielder by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made five changes – three of them enforced - for the crucial Premiership clash with Fulham at St Andrews.

Birmingham are without right-back Mario Melchiot (thigh) and midfielder Muzzy Izzet (hamstring) for the clash with Fulham at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey is battling to be fit for Monday’s Premiership clash against West Ham at St Andrews.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has to decide whether to risk playing fit again playmaker David Dunn for the second time in 72 hours against Millwall at the New Den.

Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor and skipper Kenny Cunningham could miss the bottom-of-the-table Barclays Premiership clash at Sunderland.

Birmingham’s lengthy injury list is finally starting to recede with five players back in contention for the visit of Bolton in the Barclays Premiership on Monday.

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer returned to the starting line-up for this afternoon’s clash with Birmingham after being rested last weekend.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce faces a midfield injury crisis for tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made two changes for the vital relegation clash with Everton at St Andrews.

Steve Bruce has admitted he may look for support from the Birmingham board for a January spending spree because of the club’s crippling injury list.

Birmingham have a doubt over striker Emile Heskey for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash at St Andrew’s against fellow strugglers Everton.

Birmingham City 2 Norwich City 1

Blackburn 2 Birmingham 0

Teams for today's Premiership tie between Blackburn and Birmingham.

Birmingham have doubts over midfielders David Dunn and Jiri Jarosik for the trip to Bolton.

Birmingham 0 Aston Villa 1

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Pires, Ljungberg, Reyes. Subs: Bergkamp, Van Persie, Flamini, Cygan, Almunia.

Birmingham 2 Liverpool 2

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley marked his 600th league game in charge of the Addicks by naming an unchanged side for the visit to St Andrews.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is likely to field an unchanged side for the visit of unbeaten Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Emile Heskey will return to the Birmingham attack for the derby with West Brom at The Hawthorns.