Bruce considers changes

Blues manager Steve Bruce may decide to freshen up his side for the Carling Cup clash with Hereford after seeing his international players involved in five matches in 13 days.

The likes of fit-again Mat Sadler, Neil Danns, Rowan Vine, Olivier Tebily, Colin Doyle and Franck Queudrue could all come into the equation against the Coca-Cola League Two side.

Bruce, who is close to signing a new rolling contract, has always treated the competition with full respect and wants to bring some silverware to St Andrews.

But he is conscious of having players such as Fabrice Muamba, Gary McSheffrey and Mikael Forssell fully recharged for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash at Middlesbrough.

Team (from): Maik Taylor, Kingson, Doyle, Kelly, Parnaby, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Djourou, Muamba, Jerome, Kapo, McSheffrey, Forssell, Larsson, Nafti, O’Connor, Sadler, Queudrue, Danns, Vine, Tebily, Doyle.