Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton is poised to give Jordon Mutch his first run out for four months in tonight’s crunch Europa League clash with NK Maribor.

Following an impressive pre-season, midfielder Mutch started the Blues’ opening two Championship games of the season at Derby and home to Coventry.

However, Mutch, who turned 20 earlier this month, then broke an ankle in a training session and required surgery and a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

It is likely Mutch will start on the bench for the final must-win Group H game with the Slovenian side if City are to have any hope of making the knock-out stages.

However, Hughton is delighted England Under-21 international Mutch is finally ready to make his comeback.

“The good news is Jordon is in the squad and that’s a real plus for us,” said Hughton.

“He is a player that had a very good pre-season for us and started the season well.

“He has missed a period since then, but he has done some good rehab and has been involved with training with the first team for about a week and a half. We hope as each day goes past he gets fitter and fitter. I’m delighted he’s back in the frame.”

But defender Liam Ridgwell is still a week to 10 days away from a return due to a thigh injury, while Hughton again rests Stephen Carr, who has not played in the past four Europa League games. Midfielder Jean Beausejour returns after being rested for Saturday’s home win over Doncaster.

For Blues to reach the last 32 they must first beat Maribor at St Andrew’s, and then hope Braga defeat Club Brugge.

That would see Birmingham draw level with Brugge, but give them the runner-up spot behind Braga courtesy of a better head-to-head record against the Belgian side.

It is a tall order, but midfielder Chris Burke is determined for the adventure to continue.

“The Europa League has been a great experience because you want to play against the best players in the world,” said Burke, who scored the equaliser in a 2-1 win against Maribor in September.

“I think people thought it was going to be a bit tough for us and something that wasn’t needed.

“But in a sense I think it maybe spurred us on and gave us confidence in what we can do on the park.

“I think some of our performances in Europe this season have been different class, and the way we’ve passed the ball about against teams that are experienced in Europe has shown how good we are.

“We want it to carry on and get through this group stage. I believe if we qualify then we can go far in this competition.

“We’ve shown we can handle ourselves against top quality opposition and if we beat Maribor and get a bit of luck then who knows what can happen.”