Alex McLeish leads his side up to Hull tomorrow in search of Blues' first away points of season.

Blues suffered narrow 1-0 defeats to both Man Utd and Spurs in their opening two away trips.

And McLeish's side have managed just two goals in their opening five Barclays Premier League fixtures, whereas Hull have conceded 12 times in the same amount of games.

Both sides go into the fixture with four points to their name and are both are also looking to bounce back from defeats in their previous League outing.

Blues suffered a late 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, whilst Hull were roundly beaten 4-1 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

TEAM NEWS
Blues

Stephen Carr

Blues have a host of injury problems ahead of the game following the addition of James McFadden (thigh) and Franck Queudrue (hamstring) to the injury list.

They join Gregory Vignal (hip), Lee Carsley (back), Damien Johnson (strain), David Murphy (knee), Cameron Jerome (ankle) Marcus Bent (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Stephen Carr returns after recovering from a thigh injury and Christian 'Chucho' Benitez may make his first League start.

Scott Dann is also set to make his first start of the season alongside Roger Johnson in the centre of defence having overcome a thigh injury.

Liam Ridgewell has recovered from his broken leg, but Alex McLeish has indicated that it may take a couple more weeks to get him up to match fitness.

Hull
Midfielder Dean Marney is fit to return to the Phil Brown's squad for the first time since his side's opening game of the season after recovering from injury.

Defenders Anthony Gardner (knee) and Steven Mouyokolo (hamstring) definitely miss out.

Jimmy Bullard is close to a return for the first time since January, but will not be available tomorrow.

MANAGER'S COMMENTS
Blues boss Alex McLeish
"I think the confidence is still good in the dressing room and on the training ground.

"The players know they gave a good account of themselves against Villa, although we were a little bit naïve in our defending.

"In the Spurs game also we may have wound the clock down, but I'd like to think the players will learn from these things.

"I expect Phil (Brown) will be saying to his troops that these are the games where we've got to pick up points the same as I'm saying that to my team.

"It's okay playing well against the Man Utd's and the Spurs of this world.

"Now this is where people are looking at Birmingham closely and these are the type of games which are really the bread and butter.

"I wouldn't be disrespectful to Hull by saying we're going to go and play an open game now because it's Hull City and it's not Man Utd or Spurs.

"Hull have proved that they're a very potent force on their home ground over the last two seasons when you consider their rise from the Championship, so we totally respect what Phil Brown has done with the club.

"It will be a tough game for us and if anything even harder than the Spurs and Man Utd games because there's more pressure on both teams and if they're going to have any chance of stopping in the Premier League they've got be picking up points in these games.
 

Phil Brown

Hull Boss Phil Brown

"This week in training, we've mainly been concentrating on a clean sheet mentality

"What I mean by that is finding the last five per cent of a defender where he is prepared to put his body, mind and soul on the line in pursuit of a clean sheet. Hopefully that work will reap the benefits in the long run.

"I think we've got 22 or 24 cup finals this year whereby we play against opposition who we think we can get something from. Birmingham is one of those games.

"I watched them against Aston Villa last weekend with Brian Horton and we've come up with a game plan that hopefully will see us be creative when we've got the ball and have that defensive mind set when we haven't.

"Bolton last month was one of those games where we came in at half time with a point and a clean sheet. The second half performance was then worthy of a win and we kept hold of that clean sheet.

"I know fans want entertainment and goals. Hopefully the attacking formation we have on Saturday will provide that kind of fluent football. Hopefully that will manifest itself in chances and goals at the right end."

Ian Rodgerson

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Blues suffered a defeat in our one and only previous visit to Hull's smart new KC Stadium and the final trip to the club's former Boothferry Park ground in March 1995 ended in a goalless draw.

You have to go back to the 1991/92 season for our last victory against the Humberside outfit.

Terry Cooper's charges had started that campaign like a steam train with five straight victories but that proud winning run looked in danger when Leigh Palin cancelled out Simon Sturridge's opener in the early September clash.

But with just one minute remaining of normal time Ian Rodgerson popped up with the winner to send the 610 away fans home happy.

Phil Dowd

MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Referee Phil Dowd will take charge of the game.

The Staffordshire-based official has refereed four games so far this season, in which he has produced a total of 16 yellow cards

The last time he took charge of Blues game was an eventful Championship fixture against Preston in April 2009 in which Alex McLeish's side were beaten 2-1 at St. Andrew's

On that occasion Mr Dowd sent three players off, including Lee Bowyer for Blues, as well booking four players which included Radhi Jaidi and Franck Queudrue.

Mr Dowd will be assisted by Scott Ledger from South Yorkshire and Shaun Procter-Green from Lincolnshire.

BETTING
Hull are narrow favourites to win Saturday's encounter at odds of 7/5 with bet365. The draw is priced at 9/4 and a Blues win at 2/1.

A 1-0 win to Blues, with Christian Benitez scoring first is on offer at 45/1.

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 from the KC Stadium 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.

TICKETS
This game is all ticket for Blues fans. Tickets will remain on sale at St. Andrew's until 5.30 pm on Friday evening. Hull have stated that no tickets will be available to Blues fans on the day of the game.

Ticket Prices
Adult: £24.50
Over 60s: £14.50
Juniors (Under 16): £14.50