Rovers and Birmingham City meet for the fourth time in the space of five months so are an opponent Jon Dahl Tomasson knows better than most in the Championship.

His side have had the better of things so far, with a 2-1 win in the reverse Championship fixture at Ewood Park in October, while they made it through an FA Cup fourth replay 1-0 at St Andrew’s having drawn 2-2 three days earlier.

It needed an inspired Thomas Kaminski display to see off the Blues at Ewood in the league fixture however, with Tomasson praising the display of John Eustace’s side in that game.

Birmingham have had a tough spell since and sit 17th in the table, but have taken seven points from the last 12 available.

On facing them once again, Tomasson said: “It’s an extremely solid team.

“We have played against them, they play two different formations and we know the quality of the team

“The first game at Ewood they were one of the best teams we’ve met at home this season.

“They then had a more difficult period, which is more or less the same as every team in the league, but it’s a solid team with a lot of energy in it.”

Rovers return to action tomorrow after the two-week March international with nine games of the season remaining.

They sit fifth in the table with a four-point advantage over seventh place, and with a game in hand over many of their rivals.

While Tomasson didn’t expect Rovers to be in the situation they find themselves in, he’s excited by what the run-in can hold.

Although Rovers were beaten in devastating fashion in their FA Cup quarter final at Sheffield United before the break, Tomasson says he and the players have taken a lot of confidence from how they performed at Bramall Lane.

He said: “I think everyone who likes football likes this period.

“The way the team has developed, the way we played our last game, shows a lot of good things and gave myself and the team a confidence boost.

“It’s going to be great and we should enjoy these games.

“It’s a big game each game, and everyone wants that, every player, every coach, every fan. I love that.”

Birmingham have a couple of injury issues to contend with, as defenders Dion Sanderson and Harlee Dean, as well as striker Troy Deeney, all ruled out.