Personally I think a Cardiff defeat will mean a top two place will be too far away. We are well in with a play off shout, even if we lose but it'll be tough.

We are doing incredibly well to be competing with some of these clubs. We are battling against a top 6 that have all had recent Premiership experience.

Speaking ahead of the game the managers had this to say.

Steve Bruce

"Cardiff will be a different game than Leeds United.

"But while we have lost against all the bottom six clubs this season, we are number one in this division for beating the top six clubs and so we will be confident.

"A big crowd is always a help and it should be good game and a decent atmosphere against a decent team in Cardiff.

"Dave Jones is somebody I have got a lot of time and respect for.

"If you look at his record he's done well wherever he's been - Cardiff, Wolves, Southampton and Stockport. "


Dave Jones

"It's going to be a tough game, but we know we can beat them as we've done it before.

"We seem to be back on track and it has all the ingredients of a good game. Every club has its expectation levels, we've got ours, but it is no bigger than Birmingham's.

"We both want to be in the same place, it's just that they've been there and they've tasted it. Maybe some fans think they've got a divine right to be back there, but you don't. You've got to earn it.

"At this stage of the season the only people you worry about is yourselves. It will chop and change, but the next four games will probably determine which places you will be fighting for come the final few games.

"We want to stay within shouting distance of the top two spots, but if you have to go down the play-off route then you hope to hit them with a good run of form."

Birmingham defender Radhi Jaidi will be restricted to the sidelines for the Sunday morning St Andrews clash with Cardiff.

The Tunisian missed the 1-0 midweek win over visiting Leeds and will also be forced to sit out the Bluebirds game while serving the final match of a two-game suspension.

Stephen Kelly should retain his place in defence.

Midfielder Damien Johnson is unlikely to feature either, though the Irishman is close to a return following hamstring troubles.

The game will also come too early for Mikael Forssell though the striker is all but recovered from the knee problems which have ruled him out since October.

Cardiff City could recall Neil Alexander, in goals. He missed the home win over Preston with the flu. Again this is my opinion but if he's recovered I'd have him straight back in the team, whereas there seems to be a suggestion in the media he might only make the bench.

Cardiff possible

Alexander, McNaughton, Johnson, Loovens, Ledley, Parry, Scimece, McPhail, Whittingham, Chopra, Thompson.

Subs from Forde, Gilbert, Purse, Walton, Gunter, Blake, Redan, Campbell.

It promises to be a great occasion and it's live on Sky as well.