Blues host Fulham

Blues must win

Enough Said

'This is as important a game as I can ever remember in the history of Birmingham City.

'We can get out of trouble because we have actually got the right people here. Steve Bruce is a man of great resilience. He has just got to battle on.

'But, please, please, can we just have our share of luck? We were just beginning to think it had turned around on Monday - 1-0 up against West Ham, looking good, everyone looking sharp and fit.

'Ten minutes later two of our best players (Mario Melchiot and Muzzy Izzet) have got long-term injuries again. Unbelievable. Then when you think it can't get any worse, Martin Taylor gets injured.'

Mario Melchiot is sidelined with a thigh injury while a hamstring problem keeps out midfielder Muzzy Izzet.And there was a further setback when youngster Neil Kilkenny picked up a minor ankle injury in training today which looks likely to keep him out.

Striker Walter Pandiani is set to return after illness while defender Martin Taylor (ankle) hopes to be fit.

Birmingham (from): Vaesen, Maik Taylor, Tebily, Upson, Cunningham, Clapham, Pennant, Jarosik,Butt, Dunn, Clemence, Gray, Johnson, Lazaridis, Heskey, Pandiani, Birley, Painter

Yet again our hopes are on producing some magic

Fulham midfielders Luis Boa Morte and Papa Bouba Diop are banned while Claus Jensen is out with a groin injury.

Right-back Moritz Volz is also out with a rib problem but defender Phillippe Christanval (hamstring) is available.

Fulham (from): Warner, Crossley, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Christanval, Knight, Goma, Pearce, N Jensen, Elrich, Legwinski, Malbranque, Radzinski, McBride, John, Helguson.

Fulham are likely to show up and hope for a draw, so Malbranque is likely to be there biggest attacking threat.

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Birmingham 25 wins, Fulham 20, Draws 22
Prem: Birmingham 2 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 4

Uriah Rennie

Man City - Away
Next Saturday

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