Dunn gets season start for Birmingham

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce handed a first start of the season to midfielder David Dunn for the home Premiership clash with Newcastle.

Dunn, who played under new Newcastle boss Graeme Souness at Blackburn, has been eased gently back into action with three substitute’s appearances after recovering from a hamstring problem.

It was the only change for Birmingham from the side which had drawn 1-1 with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium last weekend with Stephen Clemence making way for Dunn.

Souness made two changes to the side which had demolished Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin 5-1 in a UEFA Cup clash in midweek.

Central defender Robert Elliott had recovered from a stomach upset and replaced Aaron Hughes while midfielder Nicky Butt was back after European suspension and took the place of Laurent Robert.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Gronkjaer, Izzet, Savage, Johnson, Dunn, Heskey. Subs: Bennett, Morrison, Gray, Clemence, Yorke.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, O’Brien, Elliott, Bernard, Bellamy, Butt, Jenas, Bowyer, Shearer, Kluivert. Subs: Harper, Milner, Ambrose, Hughes, Robert.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)