Jiranek in for Birmingham

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has handed a rare start to central defender Martin Jiranek for tonight's Carling Cup semi-final second-leg clash with West Ham at St Andrew’s.

The Czech’s call-up enables Liam Ridgewell to revert to left-back in place of David Murphy.

McLeish has also brought back Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer in place of David Bentley (cup-tied), Keith Fahey and Alexander Hleb.

West Ham are without the suspended duo of Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne.

Newcomer Gary O’Neil has been named amongst the substitutes as the Hammers tried to protect a 2-1 lead from the first leg.

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Gardner, Derbyshire, Jerome.

Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Fahey, Zigic, Hleb, Beausejour.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, Noble, Parker, Spector, Hines, Cole, Boa Morte.

Subs: Boffin, Reid, Gabbidon, Dyer, McCarthy, Sears, O’Neil.

Referee: Howard Webb.