Stephen Dobbie issues injury update after Blackpool's win at Birmingham City

And welcome to today’s live blog.

Blackpool make the trip to England’s second city searching for three points to keep their slim survival hopes alive.

To find out if they can do it, follow our blog for build-up, team news, live match updates and post-match reaction.

Blackpool’s impending relegation could finally be confirmed this afternoon when they take on Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Should Stephen Dobbie’s side lose and results elsewhere go against them, the Seasiders will finally be put out of their misery.

But until it’s mathematically impossible, Dobbie insists his players will until the very end as they look to build on what was a promising performance against West Brom in midweek, despite the result.

Dobbie’s men take on a Birmingham side that have nothing to play for given they’re safely housed in mid-table.

Keith Stroud is the referee in charge of today’s fixture. He’s overseen 35 games this season, dishing out 182 yellow cards and four reds.

He was the official that sent off Sonny Carey in Blackpool’s 3-3 thriller against Burnley back in August.

Blackpool will have to make a decision over a number of players ahead of today’s game.

Keshi Anderson is a doubt after suffering a swollen ankle during Blackpool’s midweek defeat to West Brom.

James Husband (head injury) and Ian Poveda (calf) are also having to be monitored as is Jerry Yates (hamstring), who has played through the pain barrier for the past two games.

No definitive decision has been made over the quartet of players according to interim boss Stephen Dobbie, speaking on Thursday morning.

Elsewhere, Marvin Ekpiteta, Charlie Goode, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Tom Trybull, Shayne Lavery, Jake Beesley and Gary Madine remain sidelined through injury.

“It’s about concentrating on ourselves because if we perform like we did the other night, and hopefully getting the rub of the green, then we’ll get the results we’re looking for regardless of the other ones.

“Regardless of what the result is on Saturday, the talk will still be the same and then we’ll look at the results afterwards.

“I’m a positive person anyway and I think that radiates onto the players.

“The way we’re trying to play and how they’ve stepped up in the last couple of games, I know the result didn’t go the way we would have liked on Tuesday, but if we play anywhere near the way we did there I’m sure the goal will go in at the right time and we’ll get the right result on Saturday.

“It’s hard when you’re playing at this level. Even when you’re dominating, you have to score goals and then you have to make sure you don’t concede a sloppy one at the other end.

“But even after we went 2-0 down, the boys kept going. We had chances after that and I threw Brad (Holmes) on to see what he could do and he coped quite well with it.

“I’m a positive person, even with the results on Wednesday night. I still came in with a smile on my face and it’s my job to get the players going again.

“I’m not one to be down about stuff, I like to keep encouraging players. The situation we’re in it was always going to be tough, but if you don’t come in with a smile on your face and be ready to work hard then you’re not going to have half a chance.”

Birmingham 11/10

Draw 23/10

Blackpool 27/10

Odds according to Betway

Blackpool are without two key men for their must-win clash against Birmingham City this afternoon.

Top goalscorer Jerry Yates is missing with a hamstring injury, while Keshi Anderson is also absent.

It comes after the influential midfielder suffered a swollen ankle during Blackpool’s midweek defeat to West Brom.

As for Yates, he was forced to play through the pain barrier for Blackpool’s last two games but this afternoon’s trip to St Andrew’s has proven a step too far.

There is better news on the bench as James Husband and midfielder Tom Trybull return from injury alongside Rob Apter, who is also named among the substitutes.

Interim boss Stephen Dobbie has made two changes from the 2-0 defeat to West Brom, with Sonny Carey and Josh Bowler coming in for Anderson and Yates.

It means Morgan Rogers returns to the number nine role in Yates’ absence.

Marvin Ekpiteta, Charlie Goode, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Tom Trybull, Shayne Lavery, Jake Beesley and Gary Madine remain sidelined through injury.

Luke Garbutt, Dom Thompson and Kenny Dougall are all left out.

Birmingham get the game started.

Up the mighty Pool!