Koumas to start for West Brom

West Brom manager Bryan Robson handed a rare start to midfielder Jason Koumas for the Premiership derby at Birmingham.

The Wales international had not figured in the first X1 for the previous 10 games and had had a fall-out with previous Baggies boss Gary Megson.

But he was restored to the side in a 4-1-4-1 formation with striker Robert Earnshaw relegated to the substitutes’ bench.

Thomas Gaardsoe was brought in by Robson in place of Cosmin Contra who had failed to recover from the groin injury suffered against Charlton.

Blues boss Steve Bruce kept faith with the side which had won 2-1 at Aston Villa after defender Mario Melchiot failed a late fitness test.

Birmingham:

M. Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Lazaridis, Johnson, Savage, Carter, Dunn, Morrison, Heskey.

Replacements: Clapham, Vaesen, Gray, Clemence, Anderton.

West Brom:

Hoult, Haas, Scimeca, Purse, Clement, Gera, Koumas, Gaardsoe, Johnson, Greening, Kanu.

Replacements: Horsfield, Dyer, Wallwork, Kuszczak, Earnshaw.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire)