Blues Low On Players For Chelsea Test.

Tonight Birmingham City take on Chelsea once again in the FA Cup 5th round replay.

Blues gave Chelsea a bit of a worry in the first meeting at Stamford Bridge and everyone was looking forward to getting Chelsea back to St Andrews where Chris Hughton`s men could perhaps have finished the job off.

But now Chelsea could be ready to have a bit of a backlash after losing at the Baggies at the weekend and then losing their manager the next day.

On top of that little problem, Birmingham are a little short on players. Defenders Stephen Carr (knee), Steve Caldwell (ribs) and David Murphy (hip) are out, Peter Ramage is cup-tied while Curtis Davies is a doubt after picking up an illness.

Also, midfielders Andros Townsend (cup-tied) and Keith Fahey (groin) will be missing. Strikers Erik Huseklepp (cup-tied) and Caleb Folan (ineligible) are also unable to take part.

As far as Chelsea are concerned caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo goes into his first game in charge and may be without the services of Ashley Cole.

Cole hobbled out of the game at the Hawthorns last time out and will be assessed late on.

Jose Bosingwa (hamstring), Ross Turnbull (ankle) and captain John Terry (knee) are all out.

Birmingham (from): Doyle, Myhill, Spector, Davies, Ibanez, Burke, Mutch, N'Daw, King, Zigic, Redmond, Gomis, Elliott, Rooney, Deaman, Packwood, Riley, Jervis.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Romeu, Mikel, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge, Kalou, Hilario.

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