Stoke City -Birmingham City Preview

Aug 20, 2009 - 3:58 PM MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Birmingham captain Stephen Carr fears early-season fatigue is causing problems in the Blues camp ahead of the tough home clash with Stoke this Saturday.

Newly-promoted Birmingham had an energy-sapping contest with champions Manchester United on the opening day and then had to grind out a last minute penalty win over Portsmouth in midweek.

Now they face another demanding physical encounter with Stoke's array of giants assembled by Tony Pulis

Carr said: "I know fans will be surprised to hear how we are tired already but playing a team like Manchester United is fantastically hard. There is never any respite.

"So when we played Portsmouth you could see we were out on our feet 15 minutes into the second half. In the circumstances we did well to keep going to the end and get the win we needed.

"Stoke are a strong, aggressive side who love their set pieces and they will not allow us to settle either.

"But that is the Premier League for you. Every game represents a different challenge and there is no point in complaining.

"We have to rest where we can and get ready for Stoke. After losing to Liverpool they will be desperate to get something from their trip to St Andrew's."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is searching for a new left back after Gregory Vignal limped out of the 1-0 win over Portsmouth.

Vignal, on loan from Lens, is likely to be out for several weeks and McLeish is in touch with Arsenal about loaning Armand Traore and Sporting Gijon about midfield player Michel.

McLeish said: "We need cover. Cameron Jerome has hurt his Achilles so we are short in several positions and you cannot expect to be at anything other than full strength at this level."

Stoke boss Pulis also intends to be busy in the transfer market before the deadline for buying and selling is reached on September 1.

Top of Pulis's list is West Ham defender James Collins but the clubs are no nearer agreeing a fee with the Hammers wanting five million pounds.

Stoke began the season with a decent 2-0 win over newcomers Burnley but wasted it to some extent by being beaten 4-0 soundly at Liverpool in midweek.

Stoke captain Andy Wilkinson reckons the match at Birmingham is far more important to Stoke's long term well-being than what happened at Anfield.

Right back Wilkinson said: "The Liverpool result is not going to determine where we end the season. Birmingham is a much bigger game for us.

"Last season we were kept in the Premier League by our home form but we won only twice away and it nearly cost us dearly.

"If we can get more results away and keep our home form going then we will be all right."

Stoke have Amdy Faye and Mama Sidibe out with injuries and Pulis is likely to name an unchanged side with Glen Whelan continuing in midfield.