Online Watch Birmingham v Sunderland live Streaming Birmingham v Sunderland Barclays Premier League highlights Schedule result Football soccer match The Black Cats boss left the Blues two years ago in an acrimonious departure after failing to secure a new contract and falling out of favour with the City board.
Bruce has since had a successful spell at Wigan before moving to the Stadium of Light, but admits he still feels 'bitter and twisted' about his time at Birmingham, and could receive a hostile reception from the crowd.
City are boosted by the news that defensive duo Franck Queudrue and Stuart Parnaby are available after injury, having not kept a clean sheet at home in the league since August.
Queudrue, who has been converted from left-back into a central defender this season, and right-back Parnaby have been included in the squad after recovering from hamstring problems.
Manager Alex McLeish's injury worries are easing with another back-four player in Gregory Vignal set to resume training next week - also after a hamstring setback.
But on-loan Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio is ineligible because of a clause in the deal taking him to St Andrews.
Keith Fahey (ankle) is a major doubt and David Murphy (knee), Giovanny Espinoza and Martin Taylor (both ankle) remain sidelined.
However, Ecuadorian striker Christian Benitez is set to return for the Blues after missing his flight home in time for the last game, and Garry O'Connor is also available.

Sunderland news

Sunderland come into the game in good form having beaten Liverpool last time out, thanks to a Darren Bent strike that controversially rebounded off a beach ball into Pepe Reina's net.
Bent is in potent form in front of goal at the moment, topping the Premier League's scoring chart alongside Fernando Torres, and Birmingham will have to be on their toes to keep him at bay.
The Black Cats will be without Lee Cattermole who picked up a serious medial knee ligament injury against Liverpool, and he is likely to be sidelined for 12 weeks.
Bruce will welcome back Kieran Richardson to the fold after he missed the 1-0 victory over Liverpool after being sent off at Manchester United.
Powerful striker Kenwyne Jones faces a race to be fit for the St Andrews trip, as he tries to overcome an ankle knock, while John Mensah (calf) is out and Bolo Zenden and Andy Reid are set to play.
George McCartney is in contention though following a chest infection that saw him substituted at half-time against the Reds last Saturday.