Black Cats field strong side in cup tie

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce sent out a strong side as he looked to book a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

There were first home starts for defenders John Mensah and Paulo da Silva and places for young midfielder Jordan Henderson and striker Kenwyne Jones as George McCartney, Anton Ferdinand, Phil Bardsley and leading scorer Darren Bent were given a rest.

City manager Alex McLeish, however, retained only four of the men who started Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hull as Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Roger Johnson, Lee Bowyer, Keith Fahey, Christian Benitez and Sunderland loanee Teemu Tainio made way.

There was a first appearance for defender Liam Ridgewell since breaking his leg five months ago and a debut for midfielder Ashley Sammons, while former Black Cat Kevin Phillips was handed the captain’s armband.

Sunderland: Gordon, Mensah, Da Silva, Turner, Richardson, Malbranque, Cana, Reid, Henderson, Campbell, Jones.

Subs: Carson, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Bent, Murphy, Healy.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Espinoza, Ridgewell, Dann, Parnaby, O’Connor, Sammons, Ferguson, McSheffrey, O’Shea, Phillips.

Subs: Doyle, Bowyer, Benitez, Roger Johnson, Fahey, Preston.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)