BIRMINGHAM
Hart
Ridgewell R Johnson Dann
Carr Carsley Ferguson Bowyer Larsson
Jerome McFadden

Bent Jones
Reid Henderson Cana Malbranque
Richardson Turner Ferdinand Bardsley
Gordon
SUNDERLAND

Sunderland subs (from): Da Silva, Fulop, Nosworthy, Healy, Campbell, Murphy, Zenden.
Birmingham subs (from): Phillips, OConnor, McShefferey, Bent, M Taylor, OShea, Johnson, Sammons.

SUNDERLAND: Kieran Richardson returns from a one-match suspension for the trip to St Andrews today and he could slot into left-back at the expense of George McCartney. As well has being without Lee Cattermole for 12 weeks, the Black Cats also have doubts about Bolo Zenden (hip), Andy Reid (calf) and John Mensah.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Cattermole (knee), Mensah (calf)
Leading league scorer: Bent 8
Last five League games: WDWLW
Next game: Aston Villa (h), 27/10

BIRMINGHAM: Birmingham could welcome back defensive trio Gregory Vignal, Franck Queudrue and Stuart Parnaby. Keith Fahey (ankle) is a major doubt and on-loan Teemu Tainio is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Fahey (ankle), Espinoza (ankle), Murphy (knee)
Leading league scorer: Bowyer 2
Last five League games: LLLWL
Key player: Lee Bowyer - the former Magpie will be up against Cana in the middle of the pitch.

Last season: N/A
Head to head: Sunderland 53, Birmingham 39, Draws 22
Referee: Chris Foy G9 Y27 R0 Cd Av: 3.00
Last game: v Burnley (a) 19/9/09, 2-1, Y2 R0
Odds: H 15/8; A7/5; D23/10

It's a fact: Sunderland are the most clinical side in the Premier League this season, scoring with 24 per cent of their shots.
Comment by Paul Fraser: The atmosphere might be electric with Bruce returning to an old haunt, but Sunderland should avoid defeat.
Prediction: 1-1