Alex McLeish has challenged his Blues players to reproduce the form shown against the top three when they visit Sunderland on Tuesday.Birmingham shared the spoils at Arsenal and suffered only single-goal defeats against Manchester United at Old Trafford and at home to Chelsea in their last three league games.

Now they take on the Black Cats and then play host to bottom-placed Derby on Saturday with McLeish looking for repeat performances.

The former Scotland boss said: "The players know how important this game is. We have fared well against some of the best teams in the league and we want to take that into this game.

"We have shown a great work-rate and a great level of performance and concentration from the players and they've got to take that confidence into the Sunderland game.

"We are looking for the same again. If we can play against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal and show no fear, then in every game they have to show that kind of attitude.

"It is a big week but I am not nervous. I am excited. It is something to look forward to. I would now take four points from the two games but we will try and get six.

"The focus is very much on the Sunderland game and the gauntlet is laid down to the players to show that they can have the consistency of performance that is required."

McLeish has great respect for Roy Keane and believes the former Manchester United star has already shown his credentials as a manager with Sunderland.

He said: "I came up against Roy a couple of times in Rangers-Manchester United games in the Champions League and when he was a player at Celtic. He was a great player and is a great lad.

"He is a winner, has always been a winner but I hope he is not a winner on Tuesday night! He knows what it is all about in the Premier League. For me, Roy Keane has already made his mark in management.

"We are also mindful that Sunderland have a good home record and have got to try and overcome that."

McLeish is poised to give a full debut to £5million signing James McFadden after the former Everton player impressed as a substitute against Chelsea.

On loan Al Sadd striker Mauro Zarate will also be included in the 16 but full-back David Murphy is still building up his fitness after his £1.5million switch from Hibernian.

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