BIRMINGHAM City fans are set to give former manager Trevor Francis a warm reception when he brings his new club Crystal Palace to St Andrews tonight.

Francis, who may be replaced at Blues by ex-Palace boss Steve Bruce, makes his first return to the club since his sacking in October.

A poll of supporters on the Birmingham fans' website has come out in favour of Francis.

Asked which club had got the better manager, 132 of the 210 votes cast, or 63%, were that Palace had the better boss in Francis.

Those supporters who voted that Birmingham had the better manager were in the minority -- 78 or 37%.