Sutton set for Blues start

Birmingham will give a debut to striker Chris Sutton in the Premiership match at Charlton, as Steve Bruce has virtually a full squad at his disposal for the first time this season.

Bruce confirmed Sutton, signed on a free transfer from Celtic, will partner Emile Heskey up front despite the two players being similar in their approach.

David Dunn, Muzzy Izzet, Mario Melchiot, Mikael Forssell and Matthew Upson are all fit, leaving only Jamie Clapham (knee) and long term knee injury victim Mehdi Nafti unavailable.

Provisional squad: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Bruce, Lazaridis, Gray, Pennant, Johnson, Izzet, Butt, Clemence, Kilkenny, Gray, Sutton, Heskey, Jarosik, Dunn, Vaesen, Painter.