Top scorer Tom Lawrence and midfielder Cole Skuse return to the Town starting line-up facing Burton Albion in the Blues’ first ever competitive game at the Pirelli Stadium.

Tommy Smith and Toumani Diagouraga drop to the bench as the Blues switch to 4-4-2.

Skuse will take up his usual central midfield role having missed the last two games with the concussion he suffered in the Birmingham game, while Lawrence makes his first start since overcoming his groin problem, having come on as a half-time sub in the 3-1 defeat at Fulham last week.

Michael Crowe is the sub keeper with Dean Gerken presumably having picked up a knock.

For Burton, former Blues striker Luke Varney and one-time loan keeper Stephen Bywater are both on the bench.

Blackburn’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest earlier this afternoon means the 17th-placed Blues go into the game with the gap to the relegation zone only six points.

Bristol City’s 2-1 home win against QPR sees them move to within two points of the Blues level with Birmingham, who drew 1-1 at Rotherham. Burton are now 21st, two points from the drop zone.

Burton: McLaughlin, Flanagan, Brayford, Mousinho (c), Turner, Sordell, Dyer, Woodrow, Kightly, Murphy, Irvine. Subs: Bywater, Akins, McCrory, Naylor, Varney, Christiansen, Barker.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Kenlock, Skuse, Huws, Ward, Lawrence, McGoldrick, Sears. Subs: Crowe, T Smith, Pitman, Bru, Emmanuel, Diagouraga, Samuel. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands).

Photo: TWTD

Churchman75 added 19:08 - Apr 14 We will still somehow play 6 - 3 - 1
2

leahcar88 added 19:11 - Apr 14 Don't mind that, if it is 442 and not 901
3

Daz added 19:12 - Apr 14 Coyb need a win
1

braveblue added 19:15 - Apr 14 Skuse in. We are going for it!!
3

jas0999 added 19:16 - Apr 14 Very winnable game. Half decent team selection. But who would have guessed that Skuse would be an automatic selection!
9

walberblue added 19:22 - Apr 14 great saving best player douglas for a grand gesture to the fans on Monday two fingers and w^nker gesture to the fans to spoil the day
2

arc added 19:23 - Apr 14 I wish he'd given Russell a chance in place of Sears–I have a sense he might give us something different, and heaven knows we need it. Very very nervous about this match and everything right now.
2

Lathers added 19:27 - Apr 14 And we've got the ref who doesn't know the rules... should make for an even more nervous evening...
1

midastouch added 19:28 - Apr 14 Give with one hand and take with the other!
1

RoyalAscotBlue added 19:28 - Apr 14 Given the results earlier today we need to get something tonight. Lose this one and we are right back in the McCarthy. Skuse should not have just walked straight back into the team, but we all knew that he would.
7

iaintaylorx added 19:35 - Apr 14 Shocking and just a joke, whether we get a win or not, that is not down to Mick. Where is Dozzel, Bishop, Williams, why not give Emmanuel a run? Why is Skuse back in!!? And Pitman!? MICK OUT!!!!
6

iaintaylorx added 19:37 - Apr 14 And I even forgot about Rowe coz just shows that Mick has no trust in anyone but Skuse, Berra and Chambers..
8

brittaniaman added 19:50 - Apr 14 SKUSE First name on team sheet guys !!!!!
4

TimmyH added 19:51 - Apr 14 The mighyt Skuse straight back in...oh I forgot apparently he's Premiership class according to some fellow. Should win this but Burton are scraping for their lives so wouldn't surprise me if we lost.
5

Carberry added 19:59 - Apr 14 Surely a winning draw.
3

Seasider added 20:44 - Apr 14 Leaving a Welsh international out of the squad. I know what the Dino say.We are scrapping for our lives,and need real blokes;not a little talented Welshman who would get knocked off the ball. Lets hope it works for Mick the Magical as only 0-0 at the moment;but hey he would take this before he got on the bus.
0

Tony88 added 20:47 - Apr 14 Iantaylorx PATHETIC
-3

iaintaylorx added 20:54 - Apr 14 Shut up Tony... climb out mick's ar*e'
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