Preview: Birmingham City vs. Reading

Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett will be keen for his side to make a swift return to winning ways when they host Reading at St Andrew's Stadium this weekend.

The Blues were beaten for the first time under their new manager last weekend, and it was a particularly disappointing loss to bottom club Blackpool.

That defeat aside, though, Rowett's reign has been a successful one so far, and the Blues are four points clear of the relegation zone going into this weekend.

The most notable of the former Burton Albion manager's contributions so far is the improvement of Birmingham's dismal home form, with Rowett having amassed seven points from a possible nine at St Andrew's since his arrival.

Those matches have all come against teams with playoff aspirations too, so they will be full of confidence when taking on Reading this weekend.

Wes Thomas is expected to be involved at some point having served a three-match ban, while returning striker Nikola Zigic could be included in the squad having been granted a work visa this week.

Reading, meanwhile, will be looking to win three matches in a row against Birmingham for the first time in their history.

Consistency has been an issue for the Royals so far this season, however, with Reading failing to string two wins together since mid-September.

A goalless draw against Bolton Wanderers last time out means that they won't be able to do that this weekend either, but should they avoid defeat then they would be on their best run of form for almost three months.

They may well be more confident than usual of picking up the win due to their recent victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road, a result that ended a seven-match winless streak away from home.

Nigel Adkins does have a number of injury concerns to deal with, but Alex Pearce is back available and pushing for a place in the starting lineup.

Birmingham:

Recent form: DWDWWL

Possible starting lineup: Randolph; Caddis, Grounds, Morrison, Robinson; Arthur, Davis, Gleeson, Cotterill, Gray; Donaldson

Reading:

Recent form: LWLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Federici; Gunter, Cooper, Hector, Kelly; Obita, Williams, Norwood, Robson'Kanu, McCleary; Murray

Sports Mole says: 1-1