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Preview: Birmingham City vs. Nottingham Forest

Preview: Birmingham vs. Forest
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest at St Andrew's.

Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish returns to St Andrew's on Saturday for the first time since leaving Birmingham City to join arch-rivals Aston Villa.

The Scot took over from Sean O'Driscoll in December and is looking to continue the team's push for a spot in the playoffs.

Adlene Guedioura is still unavailable due to his commitments in the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, but otherwise McLeish will have a full squad from which to choose.

A booking for either Billy Sharp or Andy Reid will see them incur an automatic one-game suspension.

Stephens Carr and Will Packwood are both long-term injury problems for the hosts, who are looking for back-to-back league wins.

Marlon King's last-minute strike saw the Blues defeat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The immediate future of Jack Butland seems to lie with Stoke City, so Colin Doyle will no doubt deputise should he complete a move to the Britannia Stadium.

Recent form

Birmingham: WLLDDW

Forest: WDLWDL

Possible lineups

Birmingham: Doyle, Caddis, Davies, Caldwell, Robinson, Burke, Gomis, Reilly, Elliott, Hall, King

Forest: Darlow, Jara Reyes, Ward, Collins, Halford, Gillett, Cohen, Lansbury, Cox, Blackstock, Sharp

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Written by
Michael Penkman

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Nottingham Forest's Billy Sharp celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Hull City on December 1, 2012
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