Gary Rowett will face something of a baptism of fire when he takes charge of the first game of his second spell at Birmingham City manager on Friday afternoon.
The Blues remain deep in a relegation battle with the season now in its final month and they face a potentially pivotal trip to fellow struggling Queens Park Rangers as Rowett steps into the dugout for the first time since he was named as interim manager following Tony Mowbray's decision to temporarily step aside.
Speaking about the challenge that lies in wait, Rowett told Blues TV: "I have seen it as its very, very best. I have seen what it's like to try and turn this situation around and how positive that can be for everyone connected to the Club. Part of my motivation really was just to try and bring back some of that positivity. It is very, very simple, just to win some games of football and make sure no stone is left unturned in what we need to do and try to turn this team around and show what I think they are capable of."
Rowett will face several major decisions before finalising his starting eleven for the visit to QPR - and both he and Rangers counterpart Martí Cifuentes have some selection issues to take into consideration.
1. OUT: Taylor Richards (QPR)
Richards has made just four Championship appearances since signing for QPR from Brighton on a permanent deal in the summer. Cifuentes recently said the 23-year-old remains sidelined with a calf issue he sustained in January. Photo: Ashley Allen
2. FIT: Ilias Chair (QPR)
There were some doubts over the fitness of the Moroccan - but he is set to be fit after featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Arsenal.
3. DOUBT: Rayan Kolli (QPR)
Kolli hasn't featured since picking up an injury in a game against Cardiff in January. Photo: Steve Bardens
4. OUT: Alfie Chang (Birmingham)
Chang, 21, suffered a serious knee injury during a training session in August and hasn't featured for Birmingham in the Championship this season. Photo: Michael Regan