Burton Albion are deploying a 3-5-2 formation against Birmingham City - and midfielder Jackson Irvine is back from suspension to start against the Blues.

Lucas Akins and Marvin Sordell, meanwhile, form the Brewers' forward two as they look for their first points of the season after four successive defeats.

New signing Sean Scannell - who joined the Brewers on a season-long loan from Huddersfield Town earlier this evening - is not eligible to play because he was not registered in time. He will be available for the first time against Cardiff City on Tuesday.

Irvine returns after his hero-to-villain act in the 4-1 defeat to Hull City last weekend, in which he equalised through a spectacular curling effort but was sent off just minutes later. He starts in central midfield, alongside Luke Murphy and Matt Palmer.

New signing Sean Scannell is ineligible for tonight's match
New signing Sean Scannell is ineligible for tonight's match

Stephen Bywater keeps his place in goal, with Tom Naylor, Kyle McFadzean and Jake Buxton in front of him, and Lloyd Dyer and Matty Lund on the left and right-wings respectively.

Murphy anchors the midfield once again, with Palmer and Irvine either side of him, and Akins and Sordell the double-head spearheading the attack.

Hope Akpan misses out through suspension after the appeal against his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough was dismissed, while Stephen Warnock and John Mousinho also miss out - both through injury.

The bench is comprised of Connor Ripley, Damien McCrory, Tom Flanagan, Shaun Barker, Joe Sbarra, Ben Fox and Luke Varney.