Birmingham | vs | Blackpool |
|---|---|---|
| Date | : | Sat, Dec 31, 2011 | Time | : | 16:00 CET |
| Play on | : | English League Championship |
Birmingham vs Blackpool preview
Curtis Davies returns to the Birmingham squad for their New Year's Eve clash against Blackpool at St Andrew's.The centre-back missed City's 1-1 draw against West Ham on Boxing Day due to a one-match suspension but comes back into the reckoning as Blues, relegated from the top flight last season, complete back-to-back home games against the two sides who joined them in coming down.
Davies is set to replace Pablo Ibanez at the heart of defence and regain his spot alongside Steven Caldwell, while manager Chris Hughton also has the option of fit-again defender Liam Ridgewell, who returned to the bench against the Hammers after seven weeks out with a thigh injury.
Chile international winger Jean Beausejour passed a late fitness test on a calf problem to start on Boxing Day and will again be in contention.
And facing two games in three days - with a trip to Peterborough in store this Monday - Hughton certainly has options to bring in a couple of fresh faces in the form of Nikola Zigic, Nathan Redmond, Jordon Mutch, Wade Elliott and Morgaro Gomis.
Mark Howard is expected to continue in goal for Blackpool as regular number one Matt Gilks awaits the results of a scan on his groin problem.
Gilks underwent the examination on Wednesday after he was ruled out of the 3-1 Boxing Day victory at Barnsley and boss Ian Holloway admits he is in the dark with regards to the severity of the injury.
"We are not exactly sure what the problem is with Matt yet,'' he told the Blackpool Gazette. "He limped out of training pretty badly and we have been struggling to get a scan done at this time of year.
"The physio thinks he knows what it is but, until we have the results of the scan, we can't be sure. We didn't risk him at Barnsley, just like we wouldn't have risked any other player.''
On-loan Wigan forward Callum McManaman limped out of the Oakwell victory with cramp but is expected to be passed fit while Alex Baptiste and Elliot Grandin suffered no reactions on their return from respective hamstring and foot injuries.
Midfielder Keith Southern remains sidelined having undergone surgery to remove a testicular tumour
Birmingham vs Blackpool odds
Birmingham City 2.00; draw 3.68; Blackpool 4.33Watch Birmingham vs Blackpool Live Stream English League Championship full Video Highlights. Get the free live streaming HD TV Links. This game will be played on the English League Championship Most Wanted game on Saturday, 12/31/2011. English League Championship lovers must watch this match. Birmingham vs Blackpool Live exciting Soccer match streaming. If it has been possible, we will update Birmingham vs Blackpool highlight, Birmingham vs Blackpool Report as well as recent news about this game. So stay tune with us and will update you with Highlights will we update after the match about your favorite teams. after the match finished, you will be able to watch highlight videos, and Birmingham vs Blackpool full video when it becomes available.
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