Birmingham City team news vs Derby County: Lee Bowyer has named his side at Pride Park

Lee Bowyer has handed debuts to both of his new signings as Birmingham City take on Derby County this afternoon.

Since Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Peterborough United Blues have signed Lyle Taylor on loan from Nottingham Forest and Juninho Bacuna from Rangers.

Taylor starts up front, most likely in a three-pronged attack which also includes Onel Hernandez and Scott Hogan. Taylor will be making his first start in two months.

And Bacuna lines in a midfield three alongside Ryan Woods and Gary Gardner - just the second time he’ll begin a game since early December.

Neil Etheridge begins in goal, behind a back four of Maxime Colin, Teden Mengi, Marc Roberts and Kristian Pedersen. Roberts carries the captain’s armband with Lukas Jutkiewicz on the bench and Troy Deeney injured.

Jordan James also drops to the bench alongside Tuesday night’s effective substitutes Jeremie Bela and Jordan Graham.

BLUES (4-3-3): Etheridge; Colin, Mengi, Roberts, Pedersen; Woods, Gardner, Bacuna; Hogan, Taylor, Hernandez. Subs: Friend, Jutkiewicz, Bela, James, Graham, Trueman, Sunjic