Blues face trip to Derby first

Managerless Birmingham City's first game back at Championship level will be at Derby on August 6. Last season's Carling Cup winners will have a replacement for Alex McLeish in place by the time they take on Nigel Clough's Rams at Pride Park.And the new man's opening home assignment will come against near-neighbours Coventry a week later.Burnley are the next visitors to St Andrew's, and a tough-looking August is rounded off with back-to-back trips to Middlesbrough and Watford.Christmas brings a tasty Boxing Day showdown - on home turf - with fellow Premier League refugees West Ham.And City's hopes of bouncing back at the first attempt could hinge on an April programme which features a trip to the Boleyn Ground and, on the final day, a home clash with last season's beaten play-off finalists Reading.

Source: Team_Talk