Team News: Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sandro starts first game of season

Sandro will make his first start of the season for Queens Park Rangers as they travel to St Andrew's to face Birmingham City this afternoon.

Brazilian midfielder Sandro had work permit issues in the summer but his inclusion in the starting lineup suggests that the matter has been dealt with.

QPR are without forwards Charlie Austin and Jamie Mackie, who are both sidelined with hamstring injuries, so Jay Emmanuel-Thomas keeps his place in the starting lineup.

Demarai Gray has overcome a groin issue for Birmingham, while Andrew Shinnie has recovered from a hamstring problem to take his place on the bench.

Birmingham City have lost only once in their last nine matches versus QPR at St Andrew's, but nobody has conceded or scored more goals than Rangers this season.

Birmingham City: Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds; Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma, Davis; Gray, Donaldson Subs: Legzdins, Solomon-Otabor, Toral, Shinnie, Spector, Lowry, Brock-Madsen

Queens Park Rangers: Green; Perch, Onuoha, Hall, Konchesky; Henry, Sandro; Phillips, Chery, Fer; Emmanuel-Thomas Subs: Smithies, Angella, Tozser, Doughty, Luongo, Polter, Faurlin