Alex McLeish’s Brimingham host fellow midlanders Stoke City at St Andrews on Saturday in what will surely be a battle in the English winter. These two sides will take no prisoners in this one. Stoke have a reputation for being a strong, physical side, who don’t play the prettiest of football. And whilst that used to be the Birmingham way, it can’t be levelled at them this season, but have no fear that a team of McLeish’s won’t shirk in the tackle and will match Stoke man for man on Saturday.
Obafemi Martins is in the reckoning for Birmingham having received international clearance on his transfer window deal. Goalkeeper Ben Foster ruled himself out for England in midweek, but he is available to continue for Blues between the sticks. Birmingham had a big win last time out by beating fellow strugglers West Ham at Upton Park. The three points lifted Birmingham clear of the bottom three for now.
Tony Pulis is without Sidibe after the player suffered a setback in training this week. Last time out Stoke fought back against Sunderland to take all three points after going behind twice in the game. Pulis will expect his side to get three points again against Birmingham which would shake-up the bottom of the table once more. But as the game is at St. Andrews a point would be acceptable to the Stoke boss. Expect Martins to give the Stoke backline a hard time if he does get his debut in this game.
Ricard Fueller returns for Stoke to give them a boost, whist Birmingham will definitely be without Dann, Valles and McFadden.
photo credit: beasticus
