Cunningham back for Blues

Birmingham skipper and central defender Kenny Cunningham is poised to return for the the vital Premiership basement battle at St Andrews.

Birmingham skipper and central defender Kenny Cunningham is poised to return for the vital Premiership basement battle at St Andrews.

Cunningham was rested for the FA Cup triumph over Torquay and will replace Martin Taylor, who picked up an ankle injury although it is not as serious as first feared.

Chris Sutton will make his home debut for Steve Bruce’s side alongside Emile Heskey who underwent a scan to allay fears about his knee problem.

Midfielder Nicky Butt (calf strain) and left-back Jamie Clapham (knee) are out but Bruce has a stronger looking squad to pick from with the likes of David Dunn, Muzzy Izzet and Mikael Forssell fit after lengthy injury lay-offs.

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