Bruce excited

Strugglers in the league so far this season, and real relegation contenders, Birmingham face Liverpool at St. Andrews on Tuesday in the second of this week's cup quarter finals.

"We've got to stay in the Premier League for the sake of everything connected with the club," Bruce said in the build-up to the game.

"But, for the prestige, the FA Cup is a fantastic tournament," he continued.

"If you get this far in the competition, you can start smelling the hot dogs a little bit."

A place in the last four is at stake, but one outcome that will surely rankle both sides is a replay.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already voiced his displeasure at having to play twice in 48 hours, and a replay would only serve to fill up an already congested fixture list.

In an effort to finish off the game on the night, Benitez is set to keep the same team that cruised to victory over Newcastle on Sunday, as Liverpool's re-born strikeforce hope to add to the eight goals they have netted in their last two Premiership games.

For Birmingham, Bruce has a host of injuries to worry about. David Dunn, Jiri Jarosik, Muzzy Izzet and Chris Sutton are all set to miss the visit of Liverpool, whilst DJ Campbell is cup-tied and Emile Heskey is struggling to get over an ankle injury in time to face his old club.

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