Birmingham City head to Plymouth Argyle with Alex McLeish reminding them away days can mean glory days.

Blues kick-off at Home Park (7.45pm) boasting the best travelling record in the Championship.

They have been defeated just once on the road, some going considering the season is nearing its halfway point.

“We know we have got to go to places like Plymouth and try to get three points,” said the Blues manager. “There’s no two ways about it: your home form keeps you in any league, your away form certainly has you winning championships and the prize we’re trying to go for this season,

“We’re attempting to win as many away from home as possible.

“But, as we know, everybody raises their game against us, and I’m sure Plymouth will as well.”

Home Park isn’t the easiest of venues, and Plymouth are usually quite formidable on their own patch.

McLeish noted: “They have done very well at home. I know they lost to Blackpool last time, but they have a very good home record.

“They seem to be very much a team that looks after their home results to make sure it doesn’t put them in any trouble of any kind in this division. It will be a tough one.”

Adding to the demands for Blues, who fly down to Devon this morning from Birmingham International Airport, is a worrying injury list.

James McFadden and David Murphy joined the ranks of the longer term absentees before Saturday’s victory over Watford and Liam Ridgewell remains under the weather.

Sebastian Larsson and Kemy Agustien, both groin niggles, are also not 100 per cent.

“With each passing day players are sure to be getting better and coming off the treatment table,” said McLeish. “But unfortunately this game comes too soon for most of them.

“Ridgewell is still struggling a wee bit with a virus so we will wait until the very last minute with him.

“If he turns up and says ‘I feel great’ we will include him. But he came in on Monday and he hadn’t eaten all weekend and he wasn’t in a good state.”

McLeish said although Blues’ options in attack were somewhat depleted, he remained delighted with the contribution he was getting from Kevin Phillips, Marcus Bent and Cameron Jerome.

The trio all scored high quality goals to see off Watford at St Andrew’s 3-2.

“We’re down to three strikers now,” said McLeish, referring to the unavailability of Garry O’Connor as well as McFadden. “People said five was too many at the beginning of the season, but we’ve got three.

“The out and out goalscorer of the three is Kevin, but Benty will pitch in goals and is starting to look a real threat in the box.

“Cameron could have had a hat-trick on Saturday. He was absolutely scintillating when he came on.”

Jerome, who also came off the substitutes bench at Wolves to score, could come into McLeish’s equations as a starter.

Blues are unbeaten in six matches and have cut the gap to leaders Wolves to three points.

Mick McCarthy’s side are at home to Derby County tonight (Tuesday), while third-placed Reading host Blackpool.

Plymouth have dropped to 11th in the Championship after drawing one and losing two of their last three games.

Basement club Doncaster Rovers defeated them 1-0 on Saturday, leaving manager Paul Sturrock to ponder not only his side’s attitude, but his selection also.

Blues should fancy their chances, yet McLeish won’t let them become complacent, or think about what’s happening elsewhere.

“It’s about what we do, nobody else,” he stated. “It’s continuing to pick up the results and the wins.”

Especially away from home.