Murphy could be back for Blues

Defender David Murphy is part of the Birmingham squad for the first time since his £1.5m move from Hibernian a fortnight ago.

Murphy is approaching full fitness after shaking off a knee injury and will contest the left-back berth with Franck Queudrue.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has to decide whether to give a full debut to on-loan Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate who impressed as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.

James McFadden is poised to start at St Andrews for the first time since his £5m switch from Everton.

Team (from): Taylor, Doyle, Kelly, Ridgewell, Schmitz, Queudrue, Murphy, Parnaby, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, Kapo, McSheffrey, De Ridder, McFadden, Jerome, O’Connor, Forssell, Zarate.