Birmingham City v West Brom latest news

After an unlikely Carling Cup final triumph last Sunday, Birmingham now turn their attention to the small matter of trying to stay in the Premier League this season.

Alex McLeish will be fearful that Saturday’s lunchtime encounter against the Albion might be a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ and will be imploring his players to forget about their Wembley triumph and edge towards mid-table.

It appears that Barry Ferguson is a doubt after breaking a rib against the Gunners before playing a full hour with the injury. “It shows his pain threshold,” said McLeish. “It’s frightening but it shows the character of the guy to do that.”

Birmingham sit a point higher than the Baggies having played two games less and Roy Hodgson is still searching for his first win since taking charge of the team.

West Brom have showed plenty of character in their last two matches, with Carlos Vela salvaging a point at home to Wolves before the Mexican struck again at Stoke on Monday to land another precious point.

Hodgson is certainly wary of a Birmingham team who are likely to be in high spirits after such an excellent performance against Arsenal.

He said: “We are fully aware that Birmingham had such a great weekend and we congratulate them on that.

“It was a fantastic triumph for them and their manager, Alex McLeish, and we know we’re going to be meeting a team with its tail up.

“We’re going to have to be on our mettle if we’re going to get anything from the game and we know at the moment that every point is vital for us.”

Match betting odds:

Birmingham, 7/5 with Totesport

Draw, 23/10 with Paddy Power

West Brom, 12/5 with Blue Square