Everton v Birmingham preview

Everton captain Phil Neville will miss out with a hamstring injury. Neville suffered the setback in the victory against Newcastle at the weekend and could be replaced in the team by John Heitinga. Victor Anichebe is doubtful with a knock while Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are again ruled out through injury. Blues defender Martin Jiranek is set to return. The Czech Republic international was unavailable for the 3-1 home reversal against West Brom at the weekend with a thigh injury. Midfield duo of Barry Ferguson (broken rib) and Craig Gardner (calf) are still sidelined with the injuries suffered during the Carling Cup final win over Arsenal. Blues boss Alex McLeish will run a late fitness check over striker Nikola Zigic who missed the Baggies game with a groin problem, while defender Liam Ridgewell is expected to play despite needing an injection to ease a groin injury minutes before the kick-off against West Brom. Everton (from): Howard, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Rodwell, Osman, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov, Saha, Beckford, Gueye, Heitinga, Hibbert, Anichebe, Baxter, Duffy, Mucha. Birmingham (from): Foster, Carr, Jiranek, Johnson, Davies, Ridgewell, Beausejour, Larsson, Bowyer, Fahey, Bentley, Jerome, Martins, Zigic, Doyle, Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Parnaby, Mutch.