Midfielders Kemy Agustien and Jordon Mutch could both make their debuts for Birmingham City when they face Southampton on Tuesday night for the second time in ten days.
The pair could be handed their first start as Blues take a squad depleted by injury to St Mary’s for their Carling Cup second round tie.
Agustien has had to wait to make his first appearance for the Blues after joining on loan from AZ Alkmaar because he has been recovering from a hernia operation.
The Holland under-21 international played in a behind closed doors friendly for Blues against Crewe Alexandra last week and was held back from featuring in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Barnsley so he could play against the Saints.
Mutch could also finally make his long awaited debut for the club. The 16-year-old is considered a fantastic prospect and featured prominently during the first team’s pre-season tour of Austria.
Mutch almost made his full debut aged just 15 last season but was pulled out of the squad 45 minutes before Blues’ game against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park because of FA rules over players aged under 16 featuring in open age football. He would have surpassed Trevor Francis’ record as the youngest player ever to appear for the club had he come on as a substitute in that game.
Mutch joined Blues in the summer of 2007 from Derby County after Blues paid the Rams a fee for him and he has represented England at under-17 level.
Blues boss Alex McLeish rates Mutch highly but has been reluctant to throw him in too soon and subject him to too much pressure early in his career. However, after injuries to Mehdi Nafti, Stuart Parnaby and Cameron Jerome, Mutch, who was on the bench against Barnsley, could feature at Southampton.
“He has broken through and really looks like he could be a good player,” McLeish has said. “I am mindful of taking care of Jordon and not rushing him and exposing him too early.
“I feel when I play him you will know that he is ready when you see him on the field. But we are certainly going to have a good look at him. He has been training with the first team for about a season now and he has slotted in well.”
McLeish had wanted to give some of his first team regulars a rest from the cup match but may be forced to play them after recent injuries to four of his players.
Jerome will be missing for three weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in training, while Nafti will be out for a similar period because he tore a hamstring during the 2-1 win at Southampton ten days ago.
Parnaby was taken off in the first half last Saturday because he was feeling sick and dizzy. However, it is not a head injury and Parnaby, who actually received a kick in the groin, should be okay to play.
Striker Garry O’Connor limped off with a dead leg after scoring the second goal against the Tykes, but again he could be fit.
Radhi Jaidi could feature for the first time this season after recovering from a hamstring injury and Stephen Kelly, who replaced Parnaby on Saturday, could be handed his first start.
Gary McSheffrey could also start after impressing when he came on for the final few minutes against Barnsley.
Southampton may be embroiled in a financial crisis which has forced them to sell many of their best players but Saints manager Jan Poortvliet is fashioning an exciting young side that gave Blues more than a few problems during the first half of the league clash ten days ago and picked up their first win of the season over Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday.
