Birmingham will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Everton.
Toffees host Blues in Premier League encounter at Goodison
Birmingham will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Everton on Wednesday night.
The Blues were still basking in their Carling Cup glory last weekend but the fizz was taken out of their champagne when West Brom brought them back to earth with a bang.
Alex McLeish's men produced a fine performance to earn a historic win over Arsenal at the end of February at Wembley - capturing a piece of major silverware against all odds.
However, the real battle now begins for the St Andrews outfit as they hope to retain their top-flight status and avoid relegation to the Championship.
Those ambitions were dealt a blow as they lost out to Midlands rivals West Brom at home, the Baggies sweeping them aside 3-1 as Roy Hodgson notched his first win as Albion boss.
Focus now switches to Goodison Park but Everton come into the game on the back of successive Premier League wins and are beginning to show signs of quality.
The Toffees have had a disappointing campaign in all - compounded by their recent defeat to Reading in the FA Cup.
Yet Mikel Arteta looks like his old self and they fully deserved the three points after a 2-1 triumph at Newcastle last time out.
Team news
Everton captain Phil Neville will miss the match with a hamstring injury.
Neville suffered the setback in the victory against the Magpies at the weekend and could be replaced in the team by John Heitinga.
Victor Anichebe is doubtful with a knock while Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are again ruled out through injury.
Meanwhile, Birmingham defender Martin Jiranek is set to return after the Czech Republic international was unavailable for the 3-1 home reversal against West Brom with a thigh injury.
Midfield duo Barry Ferguson (broken rib) and Craig Gardner (calf) are still sidelined with the injuries suffered during the Carling Cup final.
McLeish will run a late fitness check over striker Nikola Zigic who missed the Baggies game with a groin problem, while defender Liam Ridgewell is expected to play despite needing an injection to ease a groin injury minutes before the kick-off against West Brom.
Possible starting XIs:
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Heitinga, Rodwell, Osman, Arteta, Saha
Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Bowyer, Fahey, Bentley, Larsson, Martins, Zigic
