Neil Redfearn believes Steve Morison has an opportunity to prove himself in the side after impressing the head coach at Bolton last weekend.

Morison made his first United start since November 1’s defeat away to Cardiff City and the striker came close to finding the net with a first-half header, only to be denied by a fine Andy Lonergan save.

The last two games have seen Redfearn implement a 4-2-3-1 formation and the head coach thinks the new shape plays to Morison’s strengths.

"He’s the ideal target man for that position in this system," said Redfearn.

"He’s got an opportunity. It’s as simple as that. He realises that he’s got to grasp it. He needs a goal, he’s a striker.

"He was unlucky with his chance at Bolton but he got in front of goal. If they’re missing chances, then they’ve got a chance of scoring.

"If they’re not missing chances and not looking like scoring, then we’ve got a problem. I’d be more worried if he wasn’t get back in front of goal.

"I thought his performance was good, I thought he held the ball up well. He gave us a different dimension, we could play our football but we could go into him as well."

Left back Charlie Taylor has also impressed since coming into the team at Sunderland two weeks ago.

The 21-year-old has had to be patient for an opening this season, but Redfearn feels he is ready to step up to the plate following Stephen Warnock’s departure.

"Charlie has been unlucky," said Redfearn.

"If Stephen Warnock hadn’t have been playing as well, then I think Charlie would have gotten his chance a lot earlier.

"But Charlie’s got a chance now. For me, he goes along the same lines as Sam Byram.

"He’s an athlete; he’s got a great left foot. You forget he’s about 6 ft 1; he’s a big, powerful lad. He gives us another dimension now from full-back."

Sam Byram, meanwhile, was effective in a more advanced right-wing role at Bolton and could play there once again for the visit of Birmingham.

"He’s a top, top young player," said Redfearn.

"I think he can play at full-back but we’ve got to open his eyes to other positions, and I think we’ve got to open his eyes to his potential.

"I think on Saturday you saw that he’s more than capable of being a match winner.

"He looked like creating chances and scoring goals as well. It was a great performance from Sam and we need more of the same."