Blues look to Taylor and Diao

Martin Taylor is poised for his first start since August as Birmingham look to end a run of three successive Premiership defeats.

The central defender will get a rare first-team chance alongside Kenny Cunningham as Matthew Upson is suspended after incurring five bookings.

Midfielder Salif Diao will make his debut after moving to Blues on loan from Liverpool for the rest of the season.

He is likely to displace one of Stephen Clemence and Darren Carter as Steve Bruce’s side begin the post-Robbie Savage era.

Provisional squad (from): Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Martin Taylor, Cunningham, Tebily, Johnson, Carter, Clemence, Anderton, Diao, Morrison, Heskey, Blake, Yorke, Vaesen, Clapham, Gray.