Five changes for Birmingham

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made five changes – three of them enforced - for the crucial Premiership clash with Fulham at St Andrews.

Bruce decided to axe wingers Jermaine Pennant and Julian Gray after their disappointing performances against West Ham on Monday.

He also had to leave out the injured trio of Mario Melchiot, Muzzy Izzet and Martin Taylor.

Bruce gave a league debut to left-back Marcos Painter and recalled Olivier Tebily, Stephen Clemence, Nicky Butt and Stan Lazaridis.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman also rang the changes, but all three of them were enforced. Luis Boa Morte and Pape Bouba Diop were suspended, while Moritz Volz was ruled out with a hip injury.

In came Zat Knight, Philippe Christanval and Sylvain Legwinski.

Blues were seeking their first home win of the season, while Fulham have still to triumph away from Craven Cottage.

Birmingham: Vaesen, Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Painter, Johnson, Butt, Clemence, Lazaridis, Dunn, Heskey. Subs: Maik Taylor, Clapham, Pennant, Pandiani, Jarosik.

Fulham: Crossley, Rosenior, Goma, Knight, Bocanegra, Malbranque, Christanval, Legwinski, John, McBride, Radzinski. Subs: Helguson, Elrich, Warner, Niclas Jensen, Pearce.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire)