Birmingham vs Manchester City preview - Duo could face Blues

Posted Wednesday, February 02, 2011 by PA

New Birmingham signings Obafemi Martins and Curtis Davies could be in the squad to face Manchester City.

Both players should be eligible to play, and while Davies is likely to be on the bench, manager Alex McLeish will take a decision on Martins' fitness nearer the match.

Blues have no other new injury worries, other than long-term absentees James McFadden (knee) and Scott Dann (hamstring).

McLeish was pleased with his transfer window dealings, but frustrated at having to "go right up to the wire" to secure the striker they needed.

They also signed defender Curtis Davies to provide cover for the injured Scott Dann, and secured Tottenham midfielder David Bentley on loan.

McLeish said he is satisfied with the end result, even if it involved a degree of brinkmanship.

He said: "You see doors getting shut in your face over January, so finally getting over the line was great.

"We're really pleased with the players we brought in.

"We tried a few, Martins was always in that mix, but you've got to keep the balls juggling in the air, and we did that right up to the wire."

McLeish believes that Martins, 26, will bring an extra dimension to his team.

"He's explosive, two-footed and good in the air," he said.

"He's probably a more experienced Chucho Benitez, who did a really good job for us last year and was instrumental in creating chances.

"I believe that Oba will do that as well."

Micah Richards will be missing for Manchester City with an ankle injury.

Although the Blues do not believe the injury is serious, the damage sustained at Notts County on Sunday will be enough to keep him out of the St Andrew's encounter.

Adam Johnson has reported he does not require surgery on an ankle injury that is likely to keep him out for up to three months.

Roberto Mancini is convinced Manchester City have made giant strides since their last encounter with Birmingham in November.

City head to St Andrew's knowing three points are a necessity if they are to keep tabs on Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Yet winning against McLeish's side is something the Blues failed to achieve at Eastlands earlier in the season.

On that occasion, Mancini was condemned for his negative substitutions during a drab goalless draw and received the full brunt of the frustration from the stands.

Since then, City have collected 23 points from a possible 33, establishing themselves in the top four and maintaining a keen interest in the title race.

And, with last summer's arrivals now properly bedded in and Edin Dzeko's £27million transfer-window purchase from Wolfsburg adding further strength, Mancini feels Birmingham will encounter a far better team than the one they frustrated a couple of months ago.

"The team has improved a lot since November," said Mancini.

"We can win, but we must play well because it will be a different game to the last one.

"I certainly have respect for Birmingham. They are a good team and have a cup final coming up."

City will hope for better fortune on their third visit to the midlands in 12 days.

Sunday's scrappy FA Cup draw at Notts County was preceded by a surprise defeat at Aston Villa, one of only two losses since that earlier Birmingham draw.

Yet the setback leaves City knowing further dropped points may be impossible to claw back.

"It is time we returned to winning ways away from home after the matches at Villa and Notts County, but the away form isn't a frustration for me," said Mancini.

"I understand football very well. I know that there are some moments where maybe you can't score or you concede a goal."

It promises to be a special night for Joe Hart, whose season-long loan at Birmingham last term might have ended in frustrating fashion for City, who were refused permission to recall the player when Shay Given was sidelined during the final weeks of the campaign, but whose spell under McLeish has helped catapult him to the top of Fabio Capello's list of goalkeepers.

"I am sure Joe is very popular with the Birmingham fans because he did very well for them last season," said Mancini.

"It was an important experience for him because now he is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe."