Alex McLeish

Alex McLeish remains confident that his Blues side are capable of pulling off the great escape as they go into their final game of the season at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Last weekend's 2-0 reverse at Craven Cottage means that Blues' must record a superior result to both Fulham and Reading to escape the drop.

But McLeish hopes that with both the Cottagers and the Royals playing away, Blues can take advantage of playing at St. Andrew's.

"I'm still very feeling confident and optimistic about the outcome," said the Blues boss.

"We play our best football at St. Andrew's and there's no reason why we can't get a good result.

"The players are more relaxed here and show more confidence than they have on their travels.

"Our intention is to win but they're a good Blackburn side and a slick team, so it's not an easy one but it's one where we have to punch above our weight.

"We've also got to hope that other results go for us and both Fulham and Reading have got two very difficult games away from home."

With so much at stake, McLeish accepts that nerves will inevitably be in evidence around the stadium.

However he hopes that the Blues fans can provide the fantastic vocal backing that he knows they are capable of.

"Nerves are human nature," he said.

"If you expect everybody not to be nervous then you'd be kidding yourself on.

"Obviously no human being likes to be criticised unless there's a little bit of construction in it, but they love to be praised and supported and it lifts them up above the line, whereas criticism or negativity takes them below the line.

"A full St. Andrew's full of positivity will transmit to the players."

James McFadden

Injury-wise McLeish has slight doubts over the fitness of Liam Ridgewell, James McFadden and Garry O'Connor.

"McFadden has a little knock," added McLeish.

"Over the last couple of weeks he's had a wee reaction to the knee injury he suffered and we're hoping we can get the zip back into him for the weekend and over the next two days.

"Ridgewell had this problem with his ankle before and he was back in seven days.

"He's had an extra day this time round and the physios are saying he's on course.

"We don't feel it's as bad as the last one so we hope he makes it.

"And O'Connor has had a niggly thigh problem over the past few days. I would think he would be touch and go."

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes Blackburn side come to St. Andrew's with something still to play for.

If Hughes's side can better Aston Villa's result at West Ham they can claim sixth spot in the Premier League and earn themselves entry into the Intertoto Cup.

"We've got one game to go, three points are still up for grabs, and who knows what will happen on the last day of the season," said the Blackburn manager.

"There are always twists and turns and, who knows, we may pinch a place in Europe at the end of it.

"It is a huge game for both teams now and I'm sure there'll be a lot of interest paid, once again we've crept up the table outside the radar and we are still involved and we'll play a big part in the future of not only ourselves but another club as well."

Tickets are still available for Sunday's big game with restricted view seats priced at just £7.50 (adults) and £5 (concessions) and normal-priced tickets starting from £20 (adults), £12 (concessions) and £7.50 (concessions) - click HERE for more details.