No changes for Charlton

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley marked his 600th league game in charge of the Addicks by naming an unchanged side for the visit to St Andrews.

Curbishley, whose side were defending a 100% record for this season, kept faith with the players who had earned a 3-0 success over Middlesbrough at the Riverside a fortnight ago.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce also had the luxury of being able to send out the side which had won 3-2 against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

With David Dunn hoping to get the all-clear from a specialist on Tuesday to resume playing after knee surgery, Blues are close to having a fully-fit squad.

But Bruce is looking for his side to put on an improved performance in front of the home fans after successive defeats by Manchester City and Middlesbrough.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Clapham, Cunningham, Upson, Pennant, Butt, Jarosik, Johnson, Forssell, Heskey. Subs: Izzet, Pandiani, Vaesen, Gray, Clemence.

Charlton: Andersen, Young, Powell, Hreidarsson, Perry, Rommedahl, Smertin, Kishishev, Murphy, Thomas, Bent. Subs: Bartlett, Hughes, Spector, Fortune, Myhre.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)