Brett Pitman, Freddie Sears and Jonathan Douglas return to the Blues starting line-up against Birmingham with top scorer Tom Lawrence and midfielder Emyr Huws both missing out.

Toumani Diagouraga drops to the bench, while Tommy Smith, who only arrived back from New Zealand duty yesterday afternoon, is also left out of the 18.

The Blues, with manager Mick McCarthy appearing to have gone back to his tried and trusted players from last season and earlier in this campaign, look set to switch to a 4-4-2 system with Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen the full-backs, skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra the central defenders, Cole Skuse and Douglas at the centre of midfield with Grant Ward likely to be on the right and Freddie Sears on the left and Brett Pitman and David McGoldrick up front.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Ward, Sears, McGoldrick, Pitman. Subs: Gerken, Taylor, Bru, Rowe, Diagouraga, Samuel.

Birmingham: Kuszczak, Nsue, Grounds, Robinson (c), Shotton, Kieftenbeld, Tesche, Gardner, Jutkiewicz, Davis, Bielik. Subs: Legzdins, Gleeson, Donaldson, Adams, Frei, Dacres-Cogley, Keita. Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire).

Photo: TWTD

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:55 - Apr 1 Dougie? Must be a misprint MM has said he's moving, he's getting on, his legs have gone, the light has been seen, he's not getting a new contract..... He's playing! Must win. Brum losing it under Zola. Huge in the context of our season
4

Charlie_pl_baxter added 14:57 - Apr 1 In fairness it looks like Lawrence and Huws are both carrying niggles. Still doesn't excuse starting Douglas ahead of Diagouraga though.
4

blue75 added 15:20 - Apr 1 Wish I'd known before I left the pub.
3

BillBlue added 15:20 - Apr 1 Set up to lose? Why??
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walberblue added 15:29 - Apr 1 wise descision from the senile dino. put the clubs future in the hands of plaYERS WHO DON'T GIVE A GIG AND WON'T BE HERE next season bravo maestro
7

Bluetone added 15:36 - Apr 1 I begin to think that McCarthy is trying to get us demoted in revange for us not worshiping him as the God like manager he see himself.
4

busterjames1 added 20:05 - Apr 1 What is the point in having deadly douglas on the pitch ! For fecks sake go with someone who will be around next season !
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