Birmingem - WBA
Goran
Birmingham v West Brom
Birmingham striker Tommy Mooney is expected to be named in the squad for the
derby clash with West Brom.
The striker has been out of action for two months following an ankle injury
but has come through several training sessions without any reaction.
He could push for a place in the starting line-up but it is more likely he
will start on the bench.
But caretaker manager Mick Mills and Jim Barron, who are in charge for the
game despite the speculation Steve Bruce is about to take the St Andrews
hotseat, have doubts over Marcelo.
The Brazilian striker is rated as 50/50 as he is suffering with a back
injury.
West Brom manager Gary Megson is hoping to have striker Scott Dobie firing
on all cylinders for their derby clash at Birmingham.
The Baggies' top scorer this season, with nine goals, made his comeback
against Nottingham Forest on Sunday after a two-game lay-off with a gash in
his groin which needed stitches.
And while Dobie set up Uwe Rosler's winning strike Megson said he had not
trained for two weeks and had looked a little bit off the pace.
He said: "Scott has had the embarrassment of our doctor, Judith Rimmer,
removing his stitches from a very delicate area.
"It's probably still a little but uncomfortable for him but it's good to
have him back."
A win for Albion at St Andrews will propel them up to second place in
Division One, above Norwich on goal difference.
(site Birmingema)
Mooney set for return against West Brom
BLUES caretaker boss Mick Mills revealed today that striker Tommy Mooney is
a strong contender for a place in tomorrow night's squad against West Brom
at St. Andrew's.
Mills said that Mooney has made excellent progress with his ankle injury and
may even be considered for a place in the starting 11 against our local
rivals.
Prior to his injury, Mooney had already begun to form an exciting attacking
partnership with Geoff Horsfield.
With the possible loss of Brazilian striker Marcelo with a back injury, his
return is a welcome boost for Blues' caretaker management team.
Mills said: "Tommy Mooney is back in contention and he has been back in
training now for just over a week.
"He was very keen to be part of the squad on Sunday, but I felt it was more
wise to make sure he was in tip top condition to come back in.
"Unfortunately there's no chance of a reserve team outing for him and he
wasn't quite available for the reserve match last week.
"If he does play, he's got to play without match practice.
"But, he's looked very sharp in training.
"By leaving him out on Sunday it's enabled us to give him another three or
four training sessions and I think that will help him.
"So he's back in the squad we'll just have to look at the numbers and see
what we've got to see if he starts the game or he'll be on the bench."
(site West Bromwicha)
What a difference a week makes!
By Dave Bowler
Albion head for St Andrew's on Wednesday night having turned their season on
its head over the last week.
When they trooped disconsolately out of Oakwell ten days ago after a dismal
3-2 defeat, it seemed as though the Baggies were in terminal decline after a
month that had yielded only one win in six games, seen Scott Dobie join
Jason Roberts on the injured list and Bob Taylor collect a three-match ban
for a sending off.
Heading to Crystal Palace hardly seemed the ideal tonic, but after a first
half in which Albion rode their luck, Derek McInnes and Michael Appleton
gradually took charge and Taylor's third goal of the season saw them head
home with three points.
Another goal from Uwe Rosler - his first since arriving on loan - against
Forest on Sunday, another three points, and suddenly the world is a happier
place.
The visit to Birmingham gives Albion the chance to leapfrog the play-off
places and into second spot in the table, but only a win will be enough to
do that.
And with their recent record at St Andrews, that's a big ask.
On the other hand, there won't be many better times to go to Blues, given
the managerial and boardroom turmoil that's currently engulfing them.
David Sullivan seems intent on attacking everyone connected with the club in
the press, Trevor's gone, and they're busily pretending that Steve Bruce's
resignation from Crystal Palace has absolutely no connection with the free
chair in Francis' former office.
That said, Mick Mills and Jim Barron know they're heading into their final
game as caretaker bosses at Birmingham and will be keen to show they still
have plenty to offer to the club once Bruce takes the chair, leaving Blues
still well in contention at the top of the table. A win for them on
Wednesday would see them go above Albion and into eighth.
But with Albion's confidence growing, there's a feeling they could head off
into a much-needed ten day break with another three points in the bag.
Especially as Dele Adebola won't be fit!