Gabby Agbonlahor will travel with his Aston Villa team-mates to St Andrew's for the second city derby on Sunday after asking Steve Bruce for permission.
The Villa striker has been out of contention due to fitness but is responding well to Bruce placing him on a six-week programme and will be welcome on the team bus across town.
Agbonlahor, who has scored four times against Birmingham, had been banished to train with the reserves by Roberto Di Matteo after a series of indiscretions but is back with the first-team under Bruce, who is hoping the 30-year-old can stage an unforeseen comeback.