Pandiani set to start

Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani – signed from Deportivo La Coruna after a loan spell last season – is set to get the nod ahead of Mikael Forssell to partner Emile Heskey in tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership opener at Craven Cottage.

Forssell plus midfielder Muzzy Izzet and winger Stan Lazaridis are fit after lengthy injury lay-offs but Blues boss Steve Bruce is mindful of rushing them back into action too soon.