Source: Northern_Echo
Sunderland v Birmingham - team news
STEVE BRUCE has made changes for tonight's Carling Cup third round, but the Sunderland line-up is also just as likely to start in the Premier League on Sunday.[LNB] Following Saturday's defeat to Burnley, Bruce has withdrawn Phil Bardsley, Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney from his back four.[LNB] That means Paulo Da Silva and John Mensah are included to make their first home starts, while Kieran Richardson will be asked to play left-back. Young midfielder Jordan Henderson also starts.[LNB] Leading scorer Darren Bent is also included on the bench, but that appears to be purely to give him a rest ahead of the visit of Wolves.[LNB] Birmingham, meanwhile, have included former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips in their starting XI at the Stadium of Light, where he was once worshipped.[LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Da Silva, Mensah, Turner, Richardson; Malbranque, Henderson, Cana, Reid; Jones, Campbell. Subs: Carson (gk), Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Bent, Murphy, Healy.[LNB] BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Parnaby, Ridgwell, Dann, Espinoza; Sammons, OShea, Ferguson, McShefferey; Phillips, OConnor. Subs: Doyle (gk), Bowyer, Chucho, Johnson, Fahey, Preston.[LNB]
