Midfielder controversially axed as ‘revived’ signing gets nod - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Bristol Rovers

Blues kick off April with a trip to League One relegation battlers Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

Chris Davies’ side returned from the international break with a bang, thrashing Shrewsbury Town 4-1 at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park courtesy of goals from Ben Davies, Ethan Laird and Alfie May. There’s now a chance to build further momentum with a trip southwest.

Bristol, managed by former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Inigo Calderon, are currently in 20th place and six points above the relegation zone. Nearest chasers Burton Albion have a game in hand, however, so it’s pivotal the Gas pick up as many points as possible to ensure they escape the drop.

Rovers won successive games against Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers in mid-March but have since gone on a run of three successive defeats. Birmingham will be eager to rub salt in Bristol’s wounds by extending that losing streak to four.

Davies has a few selection dilemmas to consider this midweek as there are plenty of fringe players eager to earn minutes. Much of the team picks itself, in fairness, but an argument can be made for rotation at right-back, in attacking midfield and on both flanks, while May will be hoping to start following his impressive brace off the bench.

Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Bristol Rovers

Without further ado, here’s the starting XI we reckon Davies will name at Memorial Stadium.

GK - Ryan Allsop: Leading the League One Golden Glove race with 17 clean sheets despite playing far fewer matches than his closest contenders, Allsop is clearly the first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

RB - Ethan Laird: On the back of a goal on his return to the starting XI, Laird should probably get the nod again ahead of Alfons Sampsted. It’s a close call, though.

CB - Christoph Klarer: Immensely consistent this campaign, Klarer rarely ever drops below a seven out of 10. He’ll be a guaranteed starter next season too with Phil Neumann set to arrive as his partner.

CB - Ben Davies: The manager’s namesake, a goalscorer last time out, has been sensational in a formidable partnership with Klarer. It’ll be interesting to see whether Blues sign him permanently or not.

LB - Alex Cochrane: He’s had to play a lot of football this season with Lee Buchanan out with two long-term injuries but Cochrane has adjusted superbly, locking down the left-back spot.

CM - Tomoki Iwata: Arguably good enough to fit in most Championship midfields, Iwata has been one of Birmingham’s star men this term. There’s no displacing him, even after his own goal before the international break.

CM - Marc Leonard: Called into the lineup following Paik Seung-ho’s injury on international duty, Leonard played excellently at the weekend. It’s unfortunate he’s had to sit out so many games this season, but Paik has been excellent.

RW - Kieran Dowell: It was never going to be easy to emerge as a regular starter in such a talented attacking midfield but Dowell has more than proven his worth. The Rangers loanee enjoys a role just off the right.

CAM - Jay Stansfield: Dropping a little deeper to facilitate a change at striker, Stansfield often thrives between the lines. It would be controversial to bench Willum Willumsson after his best showing in months but it could be necessary.

LW - Keshi Anderson: Dazzling in whatever position he plays, Anderson has been a real standout forward this campaign. It’s been a pleasure to see the attacker shake off his injury woes and thrive.

ST - Alfie May: Revived having ended his 16-game goal drought with a brace against Shrewsbury, May deserves to start. The striker has averaged a goal every three League One matches this season.

Meanwhile, Blues have issued travel advice ahead of the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.