Tough task ahead at Deepdale

Birmingham make the trip north for the televised game against Preston at Deepdale and manager Alex McLeish must know that his team are in for a hard time.

Preston sit just outside the play off places by virtue of goal difference from Cardiff and they will be wanting to put one across the Blues to keep up their challenge.

As for Birmingham`s early team news, Liam Ridgewell and Franck Queudrue have both shaken off illness in time to play in this game.

Centre-back Ridgewell has missed the last couple of games because of a virus, Queudrue is also expected to feature.

Right-back David Murphy is looking for a return to the side after recovering from a groin problem, while Seb Larsson has an outside chance of making the squad.

Forwards James McFadden (groin) and Gary McSheffrey (knee) are getting ever closer to returning but it won`t be this Saturday.

Damien Johnson should be on the bench once more after he recovered from a back problem.

Striker Garry O'Connor (groin), defenders Stephen Kelly (thigh) and Jordon Mutch (foot) both miss out.

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