Defensive duo back for Blues

Birmingham’s defensive duo of Franck Queudrue and Stuart Parnaby are available after injury for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland tomorrow.

Queudrue, who has been converted from left-back into a central defender this season, and right-back Parnaby have been included in the squad after recovering from hamstring problems.

Manager Alex McLeish’s injury problems are easing with another back-four player in Gregory Vignal set to resume training next week – also after a hamstring setback.

But on-loan Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio is ineligible to face former Blues boss Steve Bruce’s side.

Birmingham (from): Hart, Carr, Parnaby, Ridgewell, Roger Johnson, Dann, Queudrue, Larsson, Ferguson, Carsley, Bowyer, McFadden, Jerome, O’Connor, McSheffrey, Phillips, Damien Johnson, Bent, O’Shea, Maik Taylor.