Town boss Paul Lambert has made four changes to his team for this evening’s live home Sky game with Sunderland with Luke Thomas making his full debut and Jon Nolan, Luke Woolfenden and Kayden Jackson all returning to the XI.
From those who started Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Peterborough, Toto Nsiala misses out due to a hamstring injury, while Alan Judge, Aaron Drinan and Teddy Bishop drop to the bench.
Woolfenden will partner Mark McGuinness at the heart of the defence with Nolan taking over from Bishop in the advanced midfield role with Thomas, impressive as a sub against Posh, on the right of the front three and Jackson down the middle.
Among the subs for the first time in a league game is 18-year-old centre-half Elkan Baggott.
Sunderland include former Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter in their starting XI and make one change from the team which beat Shrewsbury 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday with Carl Winchester coming into the team for Jack Diamond as they move to a 4-3-3 system.
Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward, Dozzell, Downes, Nolan, Thomas, Edwards, Jackson. Subs: Cornell, Baggott, Kenlock, Bishop, Judge, Sears, Drinan.
Sunderland: Burge, Willis, Wright, Power (c), Wyke, O'Brien, Scowen, Leadbitter, McFadzean, Winchester, McGeady. Subs: Matthews, Maguire, Gooch, O'Nien, Sanderson, Embleton, Diamond. Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).