Birmingham will be without suspended midfielder Lee Bowyer for the promotion showdown against Reading.

The midlands club failed in their attempt to get the straight red card he received against Preston overturned on the grounds of wrongful dismissal, meaning he will now sit out the trip to the Madejski Stadium and any possible involvement in a two-legged play-off semi-final.

His absence should see a return for Lee Carsley, who could count himself unlucky to have missed out against North End due to the form of Damien Johnson.

Winger Sebastian Larsson had to go off with a shoulder injury in the 2-1 defeat but he should be okay to feature, but defender David Murphy remains sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with a broken kneecap.

McLeish has a host of selection and tactical dilemmas to contend with as he looks to pick the best XI to pick up the result needed, especially in attack where Cameron Jerome, Kevin Phillips, James McFadden, Garry O'Connor and Marcus Bent are all vying for inclusion.

Blues will be promoted if they win regardless of results elsewhere, but if they draw and Sheffield United win then the Yorkshire outfit will go up automatically. Defeat will see Alex McLeish's side in the play-offs.