More home comforts for Blues boss

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton will be looking for more home comforts when Barnsley are the visitors to St Andrew's in the Championship.

Blues are unbeaten as hosts in the league this season and have only lost one competitive home game since Hughton took charge in the summer, to Braga in the Europa League last week.

That said, Hughton has only had three four matches to navigate through since the season began, with number five to come in the form of the struggling Tykes.

So far, the Blues fans have been sent home happy and Hughton is well aware that run needs to continue tomorrow.

He said: "We are a good team at home. We have played four away from home, only two at home. The balances have gone against us so far."

Blues were beaten 4-1 at?Southampton last?Sunday, after their home defeat in the Europa League last week, but Hughton isn't looking for excuses.

He said: "We have got a gruelling fixture list, that we know. But would I put anything down to last Thursday night? No I wouldn't.

"We had enough fresh players on the pitch at St Mary's. I am not making any excuses.

"Southampton were the better team and, with the chances, I don't think the scoreline was a true reflection of the balance of play."

Blues striker Nikola Zigic will again be on the bench against Barnsley, as he steps up his return from long-term injury.

Zigic made his first appearance of the season after groin surgery, as a substitute for the final 25 minutes of Wednesday's Carling Cup exit at Manchester City.

Midfielder Keith Fahey got 67 minutes under his belt in the 2-0 defeat in his return from a groin injury and stands a chance of starting once again this weekend.

On-loan West Brom striker Chris Wood and midfielder Wade Elliott return to the squad, having been ineligible for the cup clash.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, Steven Caldwell and Marlon King should also return.