The two changes Lee Bowyer could make as Birmingham City take on West Brom

The final act of Birmingham City’s laborious season begins at St Andrew’s against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Neither side’s fate is mathematically guaranteed yet but it’s odds on that this season’s derby will be replicated next term too. Blues aren’t going down – almost certainly – and the Baggies aren’t going up – probably.

So it is with the scent of dead rubber in the air that Steve Bruce returns to his former stomping ground, a venue in which he has donned the Royal Blue, Claret and Blue and now the Navy Blue of West Brom – as well as assorted other colours during a long management career.

Could it be his last appearance at a ground where he has enjoyed such highlights? That’s a question for another day. The issue with which we must contend now is which players will face Bruce’s faltering Albion and which formation Lee Bowyer will choose now that there are some choices to make.

It’s not been an easy process this season but we have a go at predicting...

Bowyer seems to have settled on the three centre back system – and has the players to do so, particularly with Kristian Pedersen available after suspension and Maxime Colin back after injury. He is also hopeful of having Lyle Taylor available again and the two-week prognosis on Troy Deeney takes us up to this fixture. All of which means there are choices to be made in what should be a 3-5-2 set-up.

Neil Etheridge will hopefully come through his international matches with Philippines unscathed. Nico Gordon’s emergence as a legitimate contender in central defence – and Colin’s very passable impression, mean it’s not just a straight choice of Pedersen, Marc Roberts and someone else. Based on the fact Pedersen is the most natural fit on the left, Roberts the