It's all change for Blues' cup tie

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish could make several changes for the televised Carling Cup second round home tie against Rochdale.

The Blues boss could give several youngsters or fringe players the opportunity to make an impression against the League One side tonight.

One player who definitely will not figure is veteran striker Kevin Phillips, who could be out for another month with a thigh problem picked up before the start of the campaign.

The game is McLeish's first home match in the competition since he took over at St Andrew's in November 2007.

He said: "It's refreshing to have a home Carling Cup tie - and we'll go into the match with confidence.

"We face a team from a lower division so the expectation and pressure is on us to perform and get a result."

Blues have picked up four points from their first two Premier League matches and McLeish will make changes tonight.

Stephen Carr will be rested after playing with a toe problem, while fellow defender Liam Ridgewell has a calf injury.

McLeish added: "Stephen has been having injections. He's soldiered through it and hates missing training and games - hats off to him - but it's time to give him a break.

"Liam has had a niggling calf problem so it's an opportunity to rest him. Maybe in the international week we will see players getting some respite altogether.

"It's a chance for me to do a bit of rotation with players who've been kicking their heels."