Bruno N'Gotty gets his first run-out in three months in tomorrow's cup-tie.

Steve Bruce has confirmed that defender Bruno N'Gotty will make his first appearance for Blues in exactly three months in tomorrow night's FA Cup replay at Newcastle United.

The former Bolton man has become the forgotten man of St. Andrew's after being dropped from the side following the poor run of results in mid-October.

N'Gotty played in the first ten league games of the season but has found himself out in the cold since the home defeat to Norwich.

However, with his ex-Bolton colleague Radhi Jaidi serving a one-match and right back Stephen Kelly unavailable due to a calf injury, N'Gotty gets a long-awaited recall to the team for the trip to St. James' Park.

Bruce, who refused to confirm whether the former French international would be playing at right-back or centre-half, admitted that N'Gotty had been unfortunate to find himself on the sidelines for so long.

"He's been out for a couple of months and he can feel harshly done by because he had done okay since he'd been here but I opted to change the team round against Derby back in October," said the Blues boss.

"Martin Taylor came in and did very well and continued to play exceptionally well in the next ten or 12 games.

"You can understand Bruno's frustration. He's played for Lyon, Marseille, Milan and Bolton for five years and he wanted to come here and play."

Bruce continued: "It was a huge culture shock for him, and Jaidi, to drop down from the Premiership to the Championship.

"I don't think he's headed the ball as much in his life as he has this season.

Cameron Jerome is fit to return at St. James' Park.

"He understood my reasons at the time although he wasn't particularly happy as you would expect.

"But make no mistake, he has got a magnificent pedigree and he'll handle it tomorrow night, no question. Here is his opportunity."

Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) and Mikael Forssell (knee) will both be missing for Blues tomorrow while new boy Rowan Vine is cup-tied.

Cameron Jerome is fit to return after missing the first game against Newcastle due to an Achilles injury and Bruce confirmed that the former Cardiff striker would partner DJ Campbell up front.

With Blues short on defensive cover, Bruce has also added 16-year-old Academy centre back Krystian Pearce to the squad that will be flying up to Newcastle tomorrow morning.

Pearce, an England youth international, only joined the full-time ranks this summer as a first year scholar but has already impressed the management and become a regular in the reserves as well as captaining the under-18 side.