Gianfranco Zola takes his Birmingham City side to Newcastle United on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off) in an FA Cup third round replay still looking for his first win in charge.

The former Chelsea striker replaced the sacked Gary Rowett back in December, but has since won none of his six games in charge of the Blues.

Nonetheless, Birmingham got a credible 1-1 draw with Rafa Benitez’s side in the third round of the FA Cup a few weeks ago, and will go to St James’ Park hopeful of getting the job done on Wednesday.

However, they will come up against a Newcastle side that returned to the top of the Championship on Saturday courtesy of a 2-1 win at Brentford.

The Magpies now lead Brighton by a point after the Seagulls lost 2-0 at Preston on the same day, and Benitez’s men will be full of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s replay.

A trip to Oxford United awaits the winner of Wednesday’s clash, and with Birmingham travelling to relegation-threatened Blackburn on Saturday in a crucial Championship match, Zola could well ring the changes at St James’ Park tomorrow.

Thus, here are THREE Birmingham players who deserve an opportunity in the FA Cup on Wednesday…

Paul Robinson

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Club captain Paul Robinson has only made three starts for the Blues this season, but could be set to make that four on Wednesday against Newcastle.

The 38-year-old got the nod against the Magpies a few weeks ago at St Andrew’s and, with an important Championship fixture away at Blackburn on the horizon, Zola will likely shuffle his pack for the trip to St James’ Park.

Thus, Robinson should return to the starting eleven to provide some much-needed experience to the Birmingham backline.

Robert Tesche

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

German midfielder Robert Tesche only made the bench against Newcastle in the first game a few weeks ago, yet could be drafted into the starting eleven this time around.

The 29-year-old returned to Birmingham last summer after a loan spell at St Andrew’s in 2014/15, and it’s clear that he’s an important member of the squad, given that he has made seven starts and four substitute appearances in the Championship this season.

The former Nottingham Forest man has been an unused substitute in recent games, so Zola may call upon the midfielder to add fresh legs and guile to the Birmingham midfield in a bid to get his first win since taking over from Gary Rowett last month.

Craig Gardner

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

He’s loved by many at Birmingham, and Craig Gardner could make the first start of his second spell at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old midfielder has re-joined the Blues on loan from Premier League side West Brom for the remainder of the season, and came on as a substitute in their 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Gardner, who left Birmingham back in 2011, is still a good midfielder who brings vast amounts of experience to the Blues team, and could be integral against a Newcastle side that have lost just four times at home this season.