Bernabia to play in reserves

Bernabia, who has been relegated to the City bench for the last three games, has been named in a strong City side.

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Kevin Horlock, who have also been on the bench for City's last three fixtures, are also included.

Asa Hartford's reserve side have lost just two of their League games so far this season and will be hoping to repeat the first teams victory away at Birmingham two weeks ago.

City: Nash, Paisley, Loran, Day, Horlock, Huckerby, Benarbia, Vuoso, Barton, Shuker. Subs: McCarthy, Ellegaard, Kerkar, Whelan, Browne.

Birmingham: Bennett, Capaldi, Hutchinson, Parker, Evans, Hughes, Luntala, Carter, Grondin, Fagan, Kirovski. Subs: Davies, Hipkiss, Alsop, Allen, Barrowman.