Birmingham debut for Sutton

Chris Sutton made his debut for struggling Birmingham in today’s Barclays Premiership clash at Charlton.

The former Celtic striker, signed on a free transfer until the end of the season, partnered Emile Heskey in attack.

Muzzy Izzet, Matthew Upson and Mario Melchiot – with David Dunn and Mikael Forssell on the bench – all returned following the goalless draw with Torquay in the FA Cup last weekend.

Charlton recalled England defender Luke Young after the full-back had been rested for their win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Midfielder Bryan Hughes started against his former club, but there was no place in the squad for Danny Murphy, who had been struggling with a hamstring problem – and also the subject of much recent transfer speculation.

Charlton: Myhre, Young, Fortune, Hreidarsson, Powell, Rommedahl, Kishishev, Holland, Hughes, Bartlett, Bent. Subs: Kiely, Perry, Lisbie, Ambrose, Spector.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Lazaridis, Pennant, Izzet, Johnson, Jarosik, Sutton, Heskey. Subs: Vaesen, Dunn, Kilkenny, Forssell, Gray.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)