Town have midfield duo David Norris and Alan Quinn back from suspension for Nottingham Forest's visit to Portman Road this evening (KO 7.45pm). Jon Walters is set to return after a stomach bug, while Kevin Lisbie is a concern with a back problem.

One or two changes to the starting line-up are likely with the Blues still stuttering at home. Their last league victory at Portman Road was the 3-1 win against Bristol City on December 10th.

Norris looks set return to the midfield, perhaps in the centre, with Walters probably coming back into the side on the right. New Argentinian signing Luciano Civelli, who impressed on his debut against Blackpool, is likely to start on the left.

Saturday's goalscorer Tommy Miller may be the man taking the other central role, although Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski will both be hoping for a start.

Town seem less likely to make changes at the back with David Wright and Ben Thatcher set to continue in the full-back roles. Moritz Volz played the full 90 minutes for the reserves yesterday and therefore seems almost certain to play no part against the Tricky Trees.

In the centre, Gareth McAuley and Alex Bruce will probably continue, although Pim Balkestein may be hoping for a return after being surprisingly omitted at the weekend, despite a number of promising recent performances. Iván Campo is continuing his recovery from his calf injury. Richard Wright will keeper his place in goal.

Up front, Jon Stead and Pablo Couñago failed to net at the weekend, but could keep their places unless Lisbie, who suffered a minor back injury while warming up on Saturday, is considered fit enough for a lengthy run-out. Dean Bowditch was left out of the reserves yesterday and will probably be on the bench alongside Danny Haynes.

Assistant manager John Gorman has urged fans to back manager Jim Magilton with a protest outside the ground expected prior to the match: "I'm pleading with people to stick behind Jim.

"He's giving his heart and soul and everyone's behind him at the club. He's a young manager who desperately wants to do well.

"He's trying to realise that criticism is part and parcel of football and he's trying to take it in his stride.

"If people want to knock him, that's their prerogative. But the only thing which matters is the team.

"Anyway, I believe the fans are behind us. I'm sure a few people will show their feelings in that respect [by demonstrating], but most of them have been wonderful and that's what I'm expecting again tonight. If anything, they'll be behind us even more.”

Forest have taken just one point from their last three league games and are four points from the relegation zone, however, manager Billy Davies says he is confident that they can retain their Championship status, having been promoted from League One in May: "This season is all about keeping our head above water. Coming to Birmingham and losing [2-0 at the weekend] will not define our season.

"I've got no doubt that I've got enough in my ranks to go and get the points necessary.

"This is very much a work in progress. I will look at the loan market and try and add to the squad, but it won't be easy."

Former Canary Robert Earnshaw is out with a hamstring problem, while Julian Bennett (knee), Arron Davies (calf), Paul Anderson (broken arm) and Guy Moussi (ankle) are also unavailable.

No current Town player has represented Forest and none of Billy Davies's squad have played for the Blues.

Forest have the upper hand historically with the Tricky Trees winning 28 games (25 in the league) between the sides, Town 17 (16) and with 13 (12) ending in draws.

The Blues hammered Forest 6-0 when the teams last met at Portman Road in March 2005 via goals from Tommy Miller (2), Richard Naylor, Ian Westlake, Shefki Kuqi and Darren Bent.

Earlier this season, the sides played out a 1-1 draw at the City Ground, Garath McCleary scoring for the home side and Tommy Miller slamming home a penalty for the Blues.

Wednesday's referee is Premier League official Martin Atkinson from West Yorkshire, who has shown 79 yellow and five red cards in 26 games so far this season.

Atkinson's last Town game was the 2-0 home defeat to Southend in March 2007 in which striker Alan Lee was angry that he was denied a first half penalty when he was booked for an alleged dive and shown a second yellow card after the break for handball.

Likely squad: R Wright, Supple, D Wright, Thatcher, McAuley, Bruce, Balkestein, Norris, Garvan, Miller, Quinn, Shumulikoski, Civelli, Walters, Haynes, Couñago, Stead, Lisbie, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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