Birmingham debut for Zigic

Nikola Zigic made his full Birmingham debut in today’s Barclays Premier League clash against Blackburn at St Andrew’s but new signing Matt Derbyshire had to make do with a place on the bench.

Zigic, signed from Valencia in May, impressed as a substitute in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland and replaced Garry O’Connor in the starting line-up, while Craig Gardner and James McFadden came in for Lee Bowyer and Keith Fahey in midfield.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made only one change from last weekend’s win over Everton, with Steven Nzonzi replacing the injured David Dunn.

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, McFadden, Jerome, Zigic. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Bowyer, O’Connor, Derbyshire, Michel, Fahey.

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, El-Hadji Diouf, Jones, Olsson, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Kalinic. Subs: Bunn, Jacobsen, Emerton, Hoilett, Judge, Morris, Mame Diouf.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)