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Two goals from Nikola Zigic, both from long throws from the left, saw Birmingham to a 2-1 victory over the Blues at St Andrew’s. Town deserved more from the game with Lee Martin slamming in a superb equaliser and the winger should have been awarded a second half penalty prior to the Serb’s final moments winner.
Alex Pearce’s second-half goal condemned the Blues to a 1-0 defeat at Reading. The loss was harsh on Town who were the better side in the first half of a tight game during which Jay Emmanuel-Thomas hit the bar from distance.
Skipper Grant Leadbitter looks set to come back into the Town side when the Blues visit Reading on New Year’s Eve (KO 3pm). The 25-year-old appears the most likely replacement for nine-goal top scorer Keith Andrews, who tore his hamstring at Leicester on Boxing Day, while Town will also be without striker Jason Scotland, also due to a hamstring problem.
Town boss Paul Jewell has admitted that the Blues are unlikely to sign former loanee Danny Collins on a permanent basis with the Stoke City defender probably preferring a switch to a club closer to his Cheshire home. Collins left Portman Road after an impressive 93-day loan last week.
Mick McCarthy says he’s still no nearer to knowing whether DJ Campbell will still be at Portman Road after his loan ends on January 5th. The 31-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has said he would be open to signing a permanent deal with a club in January but doesn’t want another loan, while QPR boss Harry Redknapp has intimated that Campbell will come into his plans on his return with attacking options currently short at Loftus Road.