Blues will be looking to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since December 2004 when they entertain Stoke City at St. Andrew's this Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Alex McLeish's men picked up a most welcome three points in only their second game back in the top flight with Wednesday's dramatic last gasp success over Portsmouth, courtesy of James McFadden's injury time penalty.

Blues have not won successive games in the top division since victories over Fulham and Middlesbrough almost five years ago.

But they won't find it easy this weekend against a Stoke side that consolidated their Premier League status with a highly creditable 12th-placed finish last term.

The Potters continued where they left off with an opening day 2-0 win over Burnley at the Britannia Stadium but suffered a heavy 4-0 reversal at title hopefuls Liverpool in midweek. 

TEAM NEWS

Blues

Lee Bowyer returns from suspension.

Alex McLeish will make a late check on the fitness of left-back Gregory Vignal and striker Cameron Jerome before naming his side.

The pair were forced off early in the Portsmouth game due to hip and ankle injuries respectively but could recover in time to face the Potters.

Midfielder Lee Bowyer is back in the squad after the three-match suspension that was carried over from the end of last season due his red card in the penultimate game against Preston.

Scott Dann (groin), Liam Ridgewell (leg), Marcus Bent (hamstring), Martin Taylor (ankle) and David Murphy (knee) are definitely ruled out due to injury.

Stoke
Stoke will definitely be without Mamady Sidibe (knee) while former Blues loanee Salif Diao, Amdy Faye and Michael Tonge are all doubts.

Tony Pulis rested last season's top scorer Ricardo Fuller and influential midfielder Liam Lawrence for their midweek defeat at Liverpool but both players are expected to be back in the side for the trip to St. Andrew's.

MANAGER'S COMMENTS

Blues boss Alex McLeish:

James McFadden celebrates his spot kick winner against Pompey.

"The win over Portsmouth was a real tonic for us. The game plan was good. We envisaged an outcome of victory and that came to fruition but we have to now build on that result.

"It was very important to get a win on the board early because it eases the pressure and you feel a sense of relief.

"I wasn't really surprised by Stoke last year. I know Tony Pulis and he's a great character. He used great tactics to get out of the Championship and he's not wavered on those. What he has done is add more quality to his squad.

"Getting James Beattie was a real coup and Ricardo Fuller has been a revelation in England - I saw him in Scotland when he played for Hearts.

"Stoke will be one of the sides that are very difficult to beat."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
"It will be a very different game on Saturday, it will be very competitive and we have to make sure we are up for it.

"They will be ready after beating Portsmouth on Wednesday and we have to go there and make sure we do the basics right.

"Our away form isn't good enough; it wasn't good enough last year and that is something we have got to try and put right, starting on Saturday."

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This weekend's match will be the first time that the two clubs have met in the Premier League and Blues have enjoyed the better of most of the recent second tier encounters.

The last meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Blues in February 2007, Gary McSheffrey coming up with the decisive goal.

You have to go back to January 1997 for Stoke's last success over Blues when a Ray Wallace strike settled the match 1-0.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Pick up your copy of Blues News before this Saturday's game for just £3 and you'll receive a free A2 size poster.

This weekend's Blues News includes interviews with Joe Hart, James O'Shea, exclusive columns from Alex McLeish and David Gold plus much, much more.

Get your copy and check it out - you won't be disappointed!

BETTING
Blues are favourites to win this weekend at odds of 13/10 with bet365. The draw is priced at 11/5 and a Stoke win at 9/4.

Bcfc.com prediction: A 2-1 win to Blues which is on offer at 8/1..

For the full range of Bets available with Bet365, please click here. Remember every bet you make helps the club

MATCH COMMENTARY
You can listen to full 90 minutes commentary of the game on Blues Player.

To access Blues player, please click here.

The official website, bcfc.com, will have a match report available minutes after the final whistle along with McLeish's post-match comments.

TICKET DETAILS
Fans can pay on the day at this Saturday's match with tickets priced from £9.50 for under 12's, £15 for concessions and £25 for adults.

For full information, please click here.