Early Team News, Bentley Set For Debut

Birmingham`s new signing David Bentley may get thrown in at the deep end and make his debut for Blues against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Bentley was signed for the rest of the season this week and goes straight into the squad for this weekend`s derby.

There will be no place for defender Scott Dann, he picked up a torn hamstring in the game against West Ham in midweek which means that Liam Ridgewell could move into the centre of defence or there may be a place for Martin Jiranek as a direct replacement.

Making his comeback from suspension will be the inspirational Lee Bowyer.

Aston Villa have one player and one donkey out of the side for this crunch game, Ashley Young must pay for two yellow cards at Sunderland and misses on game while Emile Heskey is into his second game of a three match ban.

Word is that there will be a league debut for Kyle Walker who joined on loan from Spurs and found the net against Sheffield United in the cup.

Blues (from): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Jiranek, Murphy, Larsson, Bentley, Ferguson, Bowyer, Gardner, Fahey, Hleb, Jerome, Zigic, Derbyshire, Phillips, Taylor, Mutch, Parnaby, Michel.

Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Marshall, Walker, Clark, Collins, Dunne, Cuellar, Albrighton, Downing, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Pires, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Carew, Hogg, Herd, Lichaj.


Join us on FACEBOOK

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.