Carter back for Blues

Birmingham have recalled midfielder Darren Carter from his loan spell at Sunderland for Sunday’s derby at Aston Villa.

Right-back Mario Melchiot is a major doubt as he is struggling with a persistent thigh strain but winger Stan Lazaridis, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring strain he picked up on international duty for Australia, is fit to return.

Midfielder Muzzy Izzet is hoping to make his comeback after missing three games with a knee injury, and Jesper Gronkjaer will figure in the squad despite looking likely to leave the club and move to Atletico Madrid in January.

Team (from): Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Martin Taylor, Gray, Gronkjaer, Dunn, Savage, Carter, Izzet, Yorke, Heskey, Morrison, Tebily, Clemence, Lazaridis, Anderton, Morrison, Vaesen.