McLeish to name strong team for Cup replay

Alex McLeish will pick from the same Birmingham squad that held Manchester United when Nottingham Forest visit St Andrew’s for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round replay.

The Blues boss insists the cup competition is important to the club and is likely to field a strong line-up, arguably stronger than the one that battled out a hard-fought goalless draw at the City Ground.

Fringe players Lee Carsley, Stuart Parnaby and Gregory Vignal continue to be ruled out by injury – while new signing Michel is ineligible having not be at the club when the initial tie took place.

Team (from): Hart, Maik Taylor, Doyle, Carr, R Johnson, Dann, Queudrue, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden, Fahey, D Johnson, McSheffrey, Jerome, Benitez, Phillips.