Birmingham captain Damien Johnson will miss the big kick-off at Chelsea because of a hamstring injury suffered in the friendly at Walsall a fortnight ago.

Steve Bruce has urged Birmingham players and fans to again turn St Andrews into a fortress where opposition teams fear to tread during the forthcoming Barclays Premier League campaign.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is resigned to being without defenders Mat Sadler and Rafael Schmitz for the opening Barclays Premier League fixture at Chelsea on Sunday.

Left-back Franck Queudrue is determined to make an impact at Birmingham after admitting he did not enjoy the best of relationships with Lawrie Sanchez at Fulham.

Birmingham have completed the signing of left-back Franck Queudrue from Fulham in a deal which could be worth £2.5m.

Birmingham remain confident of completing the double signing of Aston Villa central defender Liam Ridgewell and Fulham left-back Franck Queudrue for around £2.5m each in the next 24 hours.

Birmingham will complete the signing of Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell tomorrow providing he passes a medical.

Birmingham captain Damien Johnson has undergone a scan to determine the extent of a hamstring injury suffered during the friendly clash with Walsall at the weekend.

Birmingham 2 Luton 2

Birmingham’s young defender Mat Sadler has signed a new two-year contract at St Andrews after establishing himself in the first team in the second half of this season.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has joined the growing discontent at the demanding festive programme and branded a schedule of four games in eight days as “scandalous”.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is debating whether to hand a Premiership debut at West Ham to 17-year-old Mat Sadler, who impressed at left-back in the midweek Worthington Cup triumph over Leyton Orient.