Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will check on the fitness of striker Cameron Jerome and defender Gregory Vignal ahead of the Carling Cup second round clash at Southampton.

Jerome (ankle) and Vignal (hip) missed the 0-0 home draw with Stoke on Saturday.

If they are unfit Stuart Parnaby and Kevin Phillips could retain their places.

However, McLeish could also hand a starting role to record signing Christian Benitez who has been restricted to three appearances as substitute since moving to St Andrew's earlier in the summer.

Midfielder Lee Bowyer, who returned to the starting line-up against Stoke after completing a three-game suspension for his sending off against Preston last season, could get another start.