Alex McLeish, the Birmingham City manager, says the club's supporters have a key role to play in their bid to survive in the Barclays Premier League.

Almost 5,000 City fans travelled to the JJB Stadium on Saturday only to see their side slide to a 2-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic. However, McLeish says the supporters can give his team the edge when they entertain Everton on Saturday.

"The fans have been tremendous ever since I came here, both home and away," McLeish said. "Once again they were right behind us at the JJB Stadium. Those who travelled gave us such tremendous support despite the result. The atmosphere at home is always great too - and I have no doubt it will be the same when Everton arrive on Saturday.

"I know the players get a lift and an energy when the supporters are right behind them and are singing as loud as they can. I'm sure St Andrews is going to be a very noisy place to come [on] Saturday afternoon."

McLeish has urged his players to maintain their impressive home form, which has seen them lose only once at St Andrews since November 24.

He said: "Since I came here our home performances have generally been very good and the only defeat was a single goal one to Chelsea when we could have got something from the game. Maybe we haven't got the points on the board we deserve but there have been some excellent showings like in the wins against Tottenham and in the last home game with Manchester City. We have to strive to attain those levels again."

Liam Ridgewell and Franck Queudrue will be available after suspension, while Garry O'Connor, the Scotland striker, is pushing for a first team recall after scoring a hat-trick for the reserves in their Birmingham Senior Cup final victory over Burton Albion on Monday.