Phillips relegated to the bench

Kevin Phillips’ dismal recent run means he is relegated to the substitutes’ bench by Southampton manager Gordon Strachan for the Barclaycard Premiership clash at Birmingham.

The former Sunderland striker has failed to find the net in 16 matches since September.

His place up front is taken by Brett Ormerod while Fitz Hall comes in at the back for hamstring victim Claus Lundekvam.

Birmingham: Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Purse, Kenna, Johnson, Hughes, Clemence, Dunn, Forssell, Morrison. Subs: Bennett, John, Carter, Kirovski, Cisse.

Southampton: Niemi, Dodd, Michael Svensson, Hall, Higginbotham, Fernandes, Anders Svensson, Delap, Prutton, Ormerod, Beattie. Subs: Blayney, Phillips, McCann, Kenton, Pahars.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)