Basement Battle

Blues travel to Sunderland on saturday after the fogged off game monday night.

This is arguably the biggest game of Blues season and we must win to bridge the game between ourselves and bottom spot.

'It's a headache but a good headache.

'In the last three months it's almost been a case of if you rolled up on a Saturday and if you were fit you were playing!

'The good thing about training this week is that I've had the likes of Melchiot, Johnson, Clemence, Lazaridis, Gray, Dunn and Izzet all training and it lifts the standard of the whole training session.

'It's been far, far better than it has been, because when you're training with 10 or 11 players it's not the same because you're worried sick somebody else will get injured.

'It's been a huge improvement and I've liked what I've seen in training all week because there's been a crackle and a sparkle amongst them.'

Sunderland have Chris Brown back in their squad after being recalled from his loan spell at Hull City.

Jonathan Stead is expected to continue in attack, with Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott still ruled out with a back injury.

Sunderland (from): Alnwick, Davis, Nosworthy, Hoyte, Breen, Stubbs, Caldwell, Whitehead, Lawrence, Miller, Bassila, Welsh, Stead, Le Tallec, Brown, Collins, Gray, Woods.

Will be once again amaining to get his first goal for his new club.

Nico Vaesen is expected to replace Maik Taylor in goal.

Melchiot, David Dunn, Damien Johnson and Nicky Butt are also back in contention.

Birmingham City (from): Maik Taylor, Vaesen, Melchiot, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Clapham, Pennant, Kilkenny, Johnson, Butt, Izzet, Dunn, Lazaridis, Gray, Pandiani, Jarosik, Heskey.

Expected to make his long awaited return and is sure to make an impact.

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS League: Sunderland 47 wins, Birmingham 31, Draws 18 Prem: Sunderland 0 wins, Birmingham 2, Draws 0

HEAD TO HEAD at Sunderland League: Sunderland 33 wins, Birmingham 8, Draws 7 Prem: Sunderland 0 wins, Birmingham 1, Draws 0

Sunderland 0-2 Blues

Millwall Away - Tuesday

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