Birmingham's defensive duo of Franck Queudrue and Stuart Parnaby are available after injury for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

Queudrue, who has been converted from left-back into a central defender this season, and right-back Parnaby have been included in the squad after recovering from hamstring problems.

Manager Alex McLeish's injury problems are easing with another back-four player in Gregory Vignal set to resume training next week - also after a hamstring setback.

But on-loan Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio is ineligible to face former Blues boss Steve Bruce's side.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will welcome back Kieran Richardson after suspension.

Richardson missed the 1-0 victory over Liverpool after being sent off at Manchester United.

Lee Cattermole is out with a knee ligament injury and John Mensah (calf) is also out, but Kenwyne Jones, who was carried off with a twisted ankle on Saturday, trained yesterday and is expected to be fit, as are Bolo Zenden (hip) and Andy Reid (calf).

Teams:

Birmingham (from): Hart, Carr, Parnaby, Ridgewell, Roger Johnson, Dann, Queudrue, Larsson, Ferguson, Carsley, Bowyer, McFadden, Jerome, O'Connor, McSheffrey, Phillips, Damien Johnson, Bent, O'Shea, Maik Taylor.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Fulop, Bardsley, Richardson, McCartney, Ferdinand, Turner, Nosworthy, Da Silva, Cana, Reid, Malbranque, Henderson, Zenden, Bent, Jones, Campbell, Murphy, Healy.