Gardner suspended for Birmingham

Birmingham will be without leading scorer Craig Gardner for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Gardner has to serve a two-game ban after receiving his second red card of the campaign against Wolves last weekend. Keith Fahey and David Bentley will be in contention to replace the former Aston Villa midfielder.

Striker Nikola Zigic is still sidelined with a groin and hip problem, although he could return before the end of the season.

Provisional squad: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Jerome, Phillips, Doyle, Hleb, Fahey, Derbyshire, Mutch, Davies, Bentley, Beausejour.