Gary Rowett's first home game in charge of Birmingham City will see Preston North End at St. Andrew's on Easter Monday. The Blues suffered a devastating blow in their fight for survival on Friday, with defender Jimmy Dunne arrowing in a wondrous volley to hand QPR a 2-1 win at Loftus Road.
Preston are making a late push for the play-offs and so the visit of them to St. Andrew's will be no easy task, but if Birmingham are to survive this season then they will need to start picking up points. There are only four home games left of the season and Rowett will be looking at them as key opportunities to pick up points.
The quick turnaround might force Rowett to make some changes come Monday but the 50-year-old might be minded not to do too much, with consistency in selection hopefully breeding consistency in results. Below, BirminghamWorld has taken a look at who might start.
5. CB: Lee Buchanan
A left-back naturally but slotted into the left of a three at QPR and could do so again, allowing more freedom for his teammates going forward. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Cody Drameh
Would provide good attacking threat down the left and able to push forward with the security of Buchanan behind. | Getty Images
7. CM: Paik Seung-ho
One of Birmingham's better performers at QPR and will progress the ball well in midfield. | Getty Images
8. CM: Krystian Bielik
That QPR's winning goal came minutes after Bielik's removal will not have been lost on Rowett. Did a good job sweeping up attacks up until that point. | Getty Images