Birmingham V Watford at St Andrews Stadium : Match Preview

15 February 2013 15:31
Birmingham V Watford - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Striker shortage for Blues

Birmingham are set to be without strikers Marlon King and Nikola Zigic as they aim to continue their recent resurgence at home against Watford.

King is doubtful due to a knock picked up in last weekend's last-gasp 1-1 draw at Charlton as Blues made it seven points from a possible nine in their last three games.

Meanwhile, towering Serbian striker Zigic has been dropped from manager Lee Clark's matchday squad in advance of the match following his unsatisfactory training this week.

Clark has been angered by Zigic's poor work ethic and attitude during sessions at the club's Wast Hills training base.

Deadline-day loan signing Wes Thomas will be champing at the bit for a recall as he looks to prove his worth, as will the likes of Nathan Redmond, Peter Lovenkrands and Hayden Mullins.

Darren Ambrose, David Murphy, Stephen Carr and Will Packwood remain sidelined due to injury.

Nyron Nosworthy is available for Watford but fellow defenders Joel Ekstrand and Tommie Hoban remain doubts.

Nosworthy was not considered for last Friday's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, in which the Hornets threw away a two-goal lead, having only returned from international duty with Jamaica hours earlier.

Ekstrand also missed the clash having been forced off late on in the 2-1 win over Bolton nursing a knee injury, while Hoban is struggling with an ankle complaint.

Midfielders Ikechi Anya (hamstring) and Connor Smith (knee) as well as defender Neuton (back) remain sidelined.

Watford currently sit fourth in the npower Championship table, three points adrift of the automatic promotion places, but have lost each of their last five visits to St Andrew's.

Source: PA