Norwich v Birmingham preview

Blues defend perfect start against Canaries

Last updated: 29th August 2008

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Two sides with contrasting season openings clash at Carrow Road as Norwich play host to Birmingham.

The Canaries are yet to win in three games in the new campaign and are in danger of repeating last year's disastrous start.

Birmingham, meanwhile, are the only side in the Championship defending a 100 per cent start and have only conceded one goal in the league so far.

Lupoli could start

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder is set to hand a recall to striker Arturo Lupoli for the visit of the league leaders.

Lupoli came off the bench to score twice in the last 20 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Cardiff last weekend and single-handedly rescue a point for the Canaries.

He is now pushing to replace Jamie Cureton - who missed a penalty at Ninian Park - as midfielder Darel Russell continues to perform a makeshift target man role up front.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan came through 75 minutes last weekend after suffering a slight ankle injury in Northern Ireland's goalless draw with Scotland last week and should continue.

Winger David Bell will have to wait for his debut as he recovers from an ankle injury while Gary Doherty is out for three months with an ankle problem of his own.

Taylor returns

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will welcome Martin Taylor back into his starting line-up for the clash with the Canaries.

The centre-back was rested for the Blues' Carling Cup tie with Southampton on Tuesday but should return to replace his stand-in Stephen Kelly.

Striker James McFadden and midfielder Sebastian Larsson were also omitted from the squad for the trip to St Mary's with niggling injuries but are in line for recalls at Carrow Road.

Club captain Damien Johnson has returned to light training following an operation on his back but McLeish revealed he would still be sidelined for some time.

He told the club's official website: "It will be eight to 10 weeks before he'll start training with the first team again."