Key player Vs. Derby

It’s the return of Gary Rowett to St Andrew`s tomorrow as Blues host his Derby side, with Gianfranco Zola still looking for just his third win at the club since replacing Rowett back in December.

There will be a lot of attention off-the-field with Rowett`s return and he`ll no doubt get an excellent reception from the Blues fans- and deservedly so.

But we have to remember that there is a game to play and Blues still need the points to get them over the line and safe from relegation.

If we are to take three points from for game then I think that Che Adams will be key to it.

Zola recalled Adams to the starting line-up on Tuesday at Brighton and, although we lost the game, the 20-year-old was a positive for Blues and managed to grab a consolation goal near the end.

First and foremost, Blues have to focus on containing Derby and keeping a solid back line. That will hopefully give the likes of Adams to produce a special moment that could win us the game.

He brings a spark to the team and his energy at the higher end of the pitch will certainly cause Derby some problems. When you’ve got a Che Adams full of confidence, it takes a lot for him to be stopped and if we can utilise him well, then we have a far better chance of creating opportunities and scoring goals.

It’s probably the correct choice to move Craig Gardner back into a deeper midfield role because although he has the technique, he doesn’t have the pace of the likes of Adams to break quickly and get in behind the defence.

Adams gives the team a different dimension and another strong performance from him could well see Blues put one over on their former manager.