Back to St Marys

Its back to St Mary`s for Birmingham City tonight where they will take on Southampton for the second time in ten games, this time it`s in the Carling Cup.

Blues will of course monitor the fitness of striker Garry O’Connor ahead of the clash.

He suffered a dead leg in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Barnsley, but the manager is hoping he will recover in time for the trip.

He told the Birmingham Post: ‘I am sure dead legs don’t keep players out for too long and I would like to think Garry will be okay because our numbers are depleting.’

Stuart Parnaby suffered concussion in the game against Barnsley, Stephen Kelly is set to deputise.

Mehdi Nafti is still out with a hamstring tear and Cameron Jerome will be missing for around three weeks after picking up a torn thigh muscle.

For Southampton, Lee Holmes and Lloyd James will have to undergo late fitness tests.

Holmes picked up a hamstring injury in the
win against Derby at the weekend, while James suffered an ankle injury.

Stern John is set to cover for Holmes, on loan Chelsea defender Jack Cork came on for James on Saturday.

Michael Svensson won`t play, he will be resting his knee, so Chris Perry will have a new partner in either Cork, Paul Wotton or Wayne Thomas.

Keeper Bartosz Bialkowski may get a place in the team.