Despite a somewhat 'mixed performance' when replacing Melchiot 18 minutes into the game against Liverpool, Olivier Tebily is favourite to claim the right-back berth in Melchiot's absence.
Wing-back Stan Lazaridis has still not fully recovered from a thigh injury that has seen him sidelined since he limped out of the FA Cup 3rd Round tie against Leeds Utd back on 8th January.
The Australian international will be missing again at Palace, although midfielder Salif Diao does return to the fold.
Diao has managed only one start for Blues since signing on a season long loan deal from Liverpool at the end of January.
The Senegal international sustained a calf injury on his Blues debut against Fulham at St Andrew's back on 22nd January but he has now fully recovered and is ready for a return to first team action against Iain Dowies side.
Emile Heskey is serving a one game suspension so Clinton Morrison could partner Walter Pandiani in attack for the first time against his former employers. Morrison was forced to sit out the game against Liverpool after complaining of feeling ill during the warm-up.
Julian Gray will also be making his first return to Selhurst Park since his summer signing for Blues on a free transfer from The Eagles.
Personally, based on the performance of the side against Liverpool, I think Steve Bruce will make just the two enforced changes from the side that started the game against the Reds with Tebily and Morrison replacing Melchiot and Heskey respectively.
Blues (from): Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Johnson, Clemence, Gray, Martin Taylor, Nafti, Diao, Pandiani, Blake, Morrison, Anderton, Vaesen.
For a detailed head-to-head between the two sides, click here
