Liam Ridgewell returns to the Blues starting XI for the trip to Preston North End. (Kick-off 5:20pm)

The centre-back, pictured right, missed last weekend's victory over Watford and the midweek win at Plymouth with a virus, but has recovered in time to play at Deepdale at the expense of Martin Taylor.

David Murphy also returns on the left side of midfield as Stuart Parnaby drops to the substitute's bench, but there is no place in the squad for Sebastian Larsson, who is still struggling with a groin problem.

Meanwhile, Preston start with former Blues trainee Darren Carter among the substitutes.

Preston: Andy Lonergan; Eddie Nolan, Youl Mawene, Sean St Ledger, Callum Davidson; Chris Sedgwick, Paul McKenna (c), Richard Chaplow, Ross Wallace; Chris Brown, Stephen Elliott. Subs: Chris Neal, Karl Hawley, Barry Nicholson, Darren Carter, Jon Parkin.

Blues: Maik Taylor; Nicky Hunt, Radhi Jaidi, Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue; Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Lee Carsley (c), Nigel Quashie, David Murphy; Marcus Bent, Kevin Phillips. Subs: Colin Doyle, Cameron Jerome, Mehdi Nafti, Kemy Agustien, Stuart Parnaby.