Norwich Giving Lupoli A Starting Role?

Lupoli was named as a substitute last week at Cardiff, but came off the bench to score twice in the last 20 minutes as the Canaries battled back from two down to earn a 2-2 draw against the Bluebirds.

His one-man rescue act means he could well replace Jamie Cureton, who missed a penalty at Ninian Park, with midfielder Darel Russell doing well as an emergency striker.

Another midfielder, Sammy Clingan, came through 75 minutes last weekend after suffering a slight ankle injury in Northern Ireland's goalless draw with Scotland last week. He is likely to continue against the Blues.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish brings back Martin Taylor for the trip to Norwich, after the centre-back was rested for the midweek Carling Cup tie at Southampton. Taylor will probably replace stand-in Stephen Kelly.

Striker James McFadden and midfielder Sebastian Larsson were also left out of McLeish’s squad for Southampton with minor niggles, but should be back at Carrow Road.

Blues’ skipper Damien Johnson is back in light training after an operation on his back, but McLeish told Birmingham’s website: "It will be eight to 10 weeks before he'll start training with the first team again."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com