Birmingham v Peterborough preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's Championship clash between Birmingham and Peterborough at St Andrew's.

Last Updated: 31/08/12 at 10:43   

Carr: Could return for Blues

Carr: Could return for Blues

Birmingham hope to see the return of full-backs Stephen Carr and David Murphy but fellow defender Curtis Davies will be assessed.

Captain Carr (thigh) is yet to feature this season while Murphy (knee) has been sidelined for the last 10 days, but their prospective inclusions this weekend will provide a huge boost to under-pressure boss Lee Clark.

Centre-back Davies hobbled out of Blues' midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Coventry nursing an ankle injury and should he not make it then Pablo Ibanez will step in alongside Steven Caldwell.

With Keith Fahey (groin) still absent, Jonathan Spector is expected to push into central midfield.

Peter Lovenkrands' goal on Tuesday means he will likely compete with Nikola Zigic to determine who lines up with Marlon King in attack, as Blues go in search of their first three points of the season in what Clark has labelled a must-win clash.

Captain Gaby Zakuani will return to the Peterborough starting line-up.

Zakuani was one of three players rested for the Capital One Cup defeat to Reading on Tuesday night, along with right-back Craig Alcock and midfielder Lee Frecklington.

It remains to be seen whether Shaun Brisley will be able to partner Zakuani at the heart of the defence after injury forced him off at the Madejski Stadium.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said: "We asked Shaun what was wrong. He said he wanted to stay on then he wanted to come off. It was an injury, but I didn't ask him about it straight after the match."

Tyrone Barnett will continue to be monitored. The striker has yet to feature this season because of a hamstring problem.

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Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

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