Early Team News ?Rovers v Birmingham

[Alan75]

Injured defenders Lucas Neill and Jay McEverley have both passed fitness tests and are available for selection for tomorrows visit of Birmingham City and are included in Graeme Sounesss 19 man squad, which also includes Alan Mahon and Cicco Grabbi, both of who have been the subject of transfer speculation this week.

Birmingham Steve Bruce includes Rovers old boys Jeff Kenna and Damian Johnson, in his squad of 18 players.

Rovers from

Friedel, Neill, Taylor, Todd, Short, Johansson, McEverley, Tugay, Thompson, Flitcroft, Duff, Cole, Yorke, Gillespie, Ostenstad, Jansen, Mahon, Grabbi, Kelly.

Birmingham from

Vaesen, Coly, Vickers, M Johnson, Kenna, D Johnson, Savage, Cisse, Clemence, Clapham, Dugarry, John, Morrison, Bennett, Grainger, Devlin, Kirovski, Hutchinson.

Referee

Clive Wilkes, who has issued 16 yellow cards and 2 reds in 6 premier games that he has officiated in this season.

Rovers go into tomorrows game unbeaten in five Premiership games whilst Birmingham have not won in five. Rovers have won their last four League clashes with Birmingham including this seasons away win at St Andrews when local villain Dwight Yorke scored the only goal of the game.

Tomorrows game will be mile stones for Tiny Taylor and Tugay who if selected will be making their 50th premier league appearances for the club.

Many supporters will have fond memories of Rovers v Birmingham in the 1999-2000 promotion, season especially Duffs goal of the season at St Andrews.

Rovers biggest win in a home fixture against Birmingham (then known as Small Heath) was 9-1 on 5 January, 1895 in their first ever League meeting. Attendance 2000