Birmingham City will be making the trip down Wembley Way for this year’s Carling Cup final against much-fancied EPL title contenders Arsenal this coming Sunday.

The match takes place on the 51^st birthday of Blues Chinese owner Carson Yeung. And manager Alex McLeish has predictably targeted a cup win as a birthday present for the Hong Kong-based businessman.

City have progressed to within two wins of a Wembley appearance double, having beaten League One Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round tie at St Andrews, setting up a home quarter-final with fellow EPL side Bolton Wanderers.

However, they may line-up at Wembley without influential former Arsenal midfielder Alexsandr Hleb, who injured his knee against Wednesday.

And indifferent recent league form leaves Blues just one win above the EPL drop zone.

McLeish revealed to the Birmingham Mail newspaper this week: “The final will be very momentous for Carson, not least because it’s his birthday! And we would love to give him his best birthday present ever.”

Fears remain that they will have to do so without Hleb, although the xx-year-old will travel to London with the squad.

McLeish said: “He got a real clatter (against Sheffield Wednesday) but we’re not ruling him out.

“Alex has great skill and massive experience and it’s something I’d like to be able to call at some stage in the game if he is fit.”

Defeat at home to Newcastle last midweek leaves Blues three places and three points above the EPL’s drop zone.