Michel set to start for Blues

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to give a first start to January transfer window signing Michel in tomorrow evening’s Barclays Premier League clash at Portsmouth.

McLeish confirmed Michael would be involved after indicating he will freshen up his side following City’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Michel has only had the occasional run-out as a substitute since moving to Blues from Sporting Gijon.

McLeish has no fresh injury worries and has set Birmingham a target of a minimum of 51 points by the end of the season after effectively securing top-flight status by reaching the 40-point mark.

Team (from): Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey, McFadden, Jerome, Taylor, Michel, Phillips, Benitez, Gardner, Murphy, Parnaby, Vignal, Queudrue.