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.

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

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.

Alexander Hleb has ruled out a return to Birmingham next season but the on-loan Barcelona player wants to remain in the Barclays Premier League.

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

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

NO DOUBT Arsenal fans were too delirious after the victory against Barcelona to be bothered by their captain’s rather apologetic post-match remarks.

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.

Birmingham will check on the fitness of three players before finalising their side for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League relegation clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Central defenders Martin Jiranek and Liam Ridgewell are the only players to keep their places in the Birmingham team for today’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to make several changes for tomorrow’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has handed a rare start to central defender Martin Jiranek for tonight's Carling Cup semi-final second-leg clash with West Ham at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome and winger Sebastian Larsson are available after injury for the Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Birmingham 1 Aston Villa 1

Birmingham newcomer David Bentley is included in the squad for the Barclays Premier League derby clash with Aston Villa at St Andrew’s on Sunday after signing on loan from Tottenham for the remainder of the season.

Matthew Upson and Scott Parker both returned to Avram Grant’s starting XI as the West Ham boss looked to ease the pressure on his shoulders with a win against Birmingham in tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Birmingham will welcome back several key players for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Birmingham have included promising midfielder Jordon Mutch in their squad for the FA Cup third-round clash at Millwall tomorrow.

SCOTT DANN’S last-gasp strike at Blackpool earned Birmingham their first away win of the season and moved them out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Blackpool 1 Birmingham 2

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is considering making changes for the Barclays Premier League clash at Blackpool tomorrow evening.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is poised to field an unchanged team in Saturday evening’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish made three changes for the home Barclays Premier League clash with second placed Manchester United.

Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell is poised to return for the Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park on St Stephen's Day.

Birmingham midfielder Alex Hleb has resumed training after being sidelined for almost a month with a hamstring injury.

Birmingham will be without Alexander Hleb for up to three weeks with a calf strain.

Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner could return to face his former club Aston Villa in tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final at St. Andrews.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes his side have too much quality to be drawn into a relegation dogfight after a Clint Dempsey equaliser earned them a home point in a 1-1 draw against Birmingham.

Fulham 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash at Fulham tomorrow.

Manchester City's Adam Johnson has been recalled to the Manchester City line-up for this afternoon’s visit of Birmingham.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s away Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

FARCE was the order of the day at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham 2 West Ham 2

Birmingham will give a late fitness test to central defender Roger Johnson ahead of tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League match against West Ham.

FT: Aston Villa 0 Birmingham 0

Gerard Houllier included three centre-backs in his line-up for the derby clash with Birmingham at Villa Park.