Former Blues owners will miss game

Birmingham's former co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will not be returning to St Andrew's for the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against West Ham.

Sullivan and Gold bought tonight's visitors a year ago after selling Blues to Carson Yeung the previous October, before a war of words erupted between both sides about certain aspects of the takeover at St Andrew's.

Gold was even banned from attending the Premier League match between Blues and West Ham at St Andrew's earlier in the campaign, due to comments made in the media, but was cleared to attend tonight's game after a subsequent apology.

However, neither Gold, Sullivan or Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady, who has served both clubs, will be there.

Sullivan said: "I really don't want to offend anyone by not going but I can't face doing that journey back if we lose."