Birmingham v Sheff Wed preview

Team news ahead of Saturday afternoon's FA Cup fifth-round clash between Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday at St Andrew's.

Last Updated: 18/02/11 at 11:11   

Ridgewell: Not likely to be risked

Ridgewell: Not likely to be risked

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will ring the changes for the tie against the Owls.

Defenders Martin Jiranek and Liam Ridgewell are unlikely to be risked after suffering thigh and calf injuries respectively against Newcastle in midweek although both should be fit for the Carling Cup final against Arsenal a week on Sunday.

McLeish will hand a late fitness test to centre-back Curtis Davies who suffered a knee injury in training.

The likes of Kevin Phillips, Matt Derbyshire, Alexander Hleb, Lee Bowyer, Keith Fahey, Stuart Parnaby, David Murphy, Jordon Mutch and Colin Doyle are all in contention to face the Owls.

Sheffield Wednesday will be without suspended midfielder Giles Coke and striker Gary Madine.

Coke was shown a straight red card in the midweek defeat at Tranmere and sits out the first of a three-match ban, so Chris Sedgwick is expected to be recalled to midfield for the fifth-round tie.

Madine, a recent permanent signing from Carlisle, is not eligible having already appeared for the Cumbrians in the competition. Neil Mellor is hoping to step in alongside fellow forward Clinton Morrison.

Lewis Buxton missed out in midweek with a hamstring problem and fellow defender Jon Otsemobor remains sidelined with a calf injury, leaving manager Gary Megson with a big hole to fill at right-back.

Isaiah Osbourne, on-loan from Aston Villa, is eligible and Tommy Miller could return to the squad after missing the last six games due to a hamstring injury.

Fellow midfielder Darren Potter could return after missing out in midweek through illness.

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

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

FA Cup Fixtures

There are no fixtures at present.

Footer 365

Premier League: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley offers £1m incentive for victory over Arsenal

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will share out £1m between the club's non-football staff if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Emotional Beckham says goodbye

David Beckham was in tears as he left the pitch after playing what could be the final game of his career as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 3-1.

Clichy signs new City deal

Manchester City have confirmed that Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved