Bruce makes two changes

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made two changes for the vital relegation clash with Everton at St Andrews.

Keeper Maik Taylor and skipper Kenny Cunningham, who were both rested for the Carling Cup win over Norwich, came back into the side at the expense of Nico Vaesen and Neil Kilkenny.

In a reshuffle, Damien Johnson moved into midfield in place of Kilkenny while striker Emile Heskey had recovered from the groin injury sustained against the Canaries.

Everton, with only two goals in the Premiership this season, restored Duncan Ferguson to their attack alongside James Beattie with James McFadden left out of the starting line up.

Winger Kevin Kilbane was replaced by Andy Van der Meyde while an injury to Matteo Ferrari meant Phil Neville reverting to left back and Tim Cahill coming back into midfield after injury.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Martin Taylor, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Jarosik, Butt, Johnson, Forssell, Heskey. Subs: Pandiani, Kilkenny, Vaesen, Tebily, Painter.

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Neville, Davies, Arteta, Cahill, Van der Meyde, Beattie, Ferguson. Subs: Wright, Kroldrup, Kilbane, McFadden, Osman.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)