Birmingham v Stoke preview

Team news for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash between Birmingham and Stoke at St Andrew's.

Last Updated: 11/02/11 at 14:05

Martins: Set to make Birmingham debut

Martins: Set to make Birmingham debut

Birmingham newcomer Obafemi Martins is included in the squad for the first time for after the Nigerian obtained a visa this week.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has to decide whether to start Martins or put him on the substitutes' bench, with the former Newcastle forward having not played competitively for two months.

McLeish has a full squad to choose from with the exception of long-term injury victims James McFadden and Scott Dann. Goalkeeper Ben Foster has recovered from the thumb injury which prevented him being involved in England's midweek friendly in Denmark.

Stoke's Mamady Sidibe has suffered another injury setback and looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Sidibe has been missing for five and a half months but scored for the reserves against Burton before injuring his Achilles in training on Thursday.

Ricardo Fuller is back after compassionate leave and will be battling for a place in attack alongside Kenwyne Jones, Jon Walters and John Carew.

Birmingham (from): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Davies, Ridgewell, Bentley, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Jerome, Zigic, Martins, Doyle, Parnaby, Murphy, Fahey, Larsson, Hleb, Beausejour, Mutch, Phillips, Derbyshire.

Stoke (from): Begovic, Sorensen; Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Higginbotham, Faye, Collins; Wilson, Delap, Pugh, Whitehead, Whelan, Pennant, Etherington; Jones, Fuller, Walters, Carew.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Premier League Fixtures

There are no fixtures at present.

Barclays Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 38 43 89
2 Man City 38 32 78
3 Chelsea 38 36 75
4 Arsenal 38 35 73
5 Tottenham 38 20 72
6 Everton 38 15 63
7 Liverpool 38 28 61
8 West Brom 38 -4 49
9 Swansea 38 -4 46
10 West Ham 38 -8 46
11 Norwich 38 -17 44
12 Fulham 38 -10 43
13 Stoke City 38 -11 42
14 Southampton 38 -11 41
15 A Villa 38 -22 41
16 Newcastle 38 -23 41
17 Sunderland 38 -13 39
18 Wigan 38 -26 36
19 Reading 38 -30 28
20 QPR 38 -30 25

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Sheffield United make approach for Motherwell manager Stuart McCall

Sheffield United have made an official approach to Motherwell to speak to their manager Stuart McCall.

Reports: Pulis departs Stoke

Tony Pulis has left Stoke City after seven years in charge at the Britannia Stadium, according to unconfirmed reports on Tuesday afternoon.

Moutinho cools Porto exit talk

Joao Moutinho insists he has "no intention" of leaving Porto, after being once again linked with a big-money move to Tottenham this summer.

Mail Box

Mourinho Isn't Short-Term, Football Is

There's more in the afternoon Mailbox about Jose Mourinho and his potential return to Chelsea, while there's also a link to some pictures of eagles that look like Arsene Wenger...

Should Chelsea Be Worried About Jose Return?

After a disappointing end to his three years at Real Madrid, could Jose Mourinho struggle to bring immediate success if he completes his anticipated return to Chelsea?

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved