It has been a testing few weeks for new Birmingham manager Gianfranco Zola, but he can at least turn his attentions away from their faltering Championship campaign this weekend.

The former West Ham and Watford boss took over from the sacked Gary Rowett on December 14, but has since led his side to just one draw and three defeats in his four games in charge.

It has meant that they have fallen from seventh the day before Rowett was relieved of his duties to 13th in the table, and seven points off the top six.

Unsurprisingly, the former Chelsea striker is already under pressure to turn things around at St Andrew’s, even more so given the harsh nature of Rowett’s sacking, and it doesn’t get much easier for the Birmingham boss as they host Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Rafa Benitez’s side are second in the Championship having won 17 of their 25 league games, although they have suffered two defeats in their last three games, including their latest against Blackburn Rovers.

Nonetheless, the Magpies will be confident of knocking the Blues out of the competition, although Zola will know that he really needs a win soon to help relieve some of the pressure on his shoulders.

Given both clubs played twice in the space of a few days earlier this week, they are likely to make changes, so here are THREE Birmingham players who deserve a chance against Newcastle on Saturday…

Viv Solomon-Otabor

Birmingham’s Young Player of the Season for the previous campaign Viv Solomon-Otabor has been restricted to just one start this term, but could double that tally on Saturday.

The 21-year-old had to be patient and wait for his chance last time around, given Demarai Gray’s fine performances, yet the latter’s move to Leicester in January opened the door for Solomon-Otabor, and he gratefully took it to warm to the Birmingham faithful.

However, he has been restricted to just one start, which was in the League Cup back in August, and just 14 minutes of Championship action this season, yet his pace and directness could be what the hosts need to get at Newcastle on Saturday.

The St Andrew’s faithful haven’t had loads to cheer about in recent weeks, yet if Solomon-Otabor can inject pace into proceedings, he would get the fans onside ahead of a tricky cup tie.

Greg Stewart

Midfielder Greg Stewart was replaced at half-time in the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Barnsley on New Year’s Eve, and was subsequently dropped from their defeat at home to Brentford on Monday.

However, their lacklustre display against the Bees could mean that the 26-year-old regains his place in the starting eleven against Newcastle.

Stewart, who joined Birmingham last summer, has made five starts for the club so far this season, with his other ten appearances coming from the bench.

Yet, the midfielder clearly has ability, given he was twice shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year award in the last two seasons, and he should get a chance to prove his worth to the new manager this weekend.

Stephen Gleeson

Zola could call for experience against a talented Newcastle side on Saturday, which could see midfielder Stephen Gleeson return to the starting line-up.

The Republic of Ireland international has started 18 of their 25 Championship matches this season, but was an unused substitute in their most recent game against Brentford on Monday.

However, the 28-year-old has played over 100 times for the Blues since moving there in 2014, and they may need his experience and guile in the middle of the park to thwart an attack-minded Newcastle team.

Birmingham, and Zola in particular, could really do with a result on Saturday, so turning to experienced pros like Gleeson would potentially be a good option.