Chris Hughton admits he is in the dark about what to expect from his old club Birmingham tomorrow.

The sacking of Gary Rowett and his rapid replacement by Gianfranco Zola has left the Albion manager and his players facing a trip into the unknown at St Andrew's.

Hughton told The Argus: "When I first heard Gary (below left) had gone, I certainly didn't anticipate a manager would be in straight away.

The Argus: "At that moment I presumed there would be a caretaker or Richard Beale, who takes the under-23s and who I know well, would be taking the team on an interim basis until a manager was appointed.

"I was surprised to hear Gary gone and probably even more surprised to hear of a new manager hours later.

"We don't know what impact it will have. The Birmingham players in a very short period of time will get used to a new manager. Whether he (Zola) will change anything in these couple of days we don't know.

"We can only prepare ourselves the way we prepare for any other game. They have very good players that are in a good position in the league and are on the back of a good win against Ipswich.

"Their formation is reasonably similar to ourselves, generally two up front, one maybe playing just off.

"They are very much a hard-working team with a real threat up front. They have got good, solid, all-round Championship players that know what it takes to get results."

It is hard to calculate off the pitch as much as on it what effect the out-of-the-blue managerial change by Albion's opponents will have on the Blues' faithful, who saw their side steered into the play-offs by Hughton five seasons ago.

Hughton said: "One thing I always know is, irrespective of anything, the supporters always support the team. Long after any manager is gone, the supporters are there.

"They will get behind the team, I've got no doubt. They will certainly want them to win.

"I don't know how it will affect the atmosphere or the way they play. Reactions of crowds generally are they get a goal and it lifts the atmosphere and they get behind the team."

Hughton was as bemused as everyone else when news broke on Wednesday afternoon that Rowett had been axed.

Confirmation followed just a few hours later of ex-Chelsea genius and former West Ham and Watford boss Zola's appointment, as Albion's boss watched the club's youngsters beat Derby in the FA Youth Cup at the Amex.

 

He said: "The other side of it is it's wonderful to see Zola back in the English game. He's somebody who graced us not only as a player but also has had managerial experience here.

"I don't think there is anybody who would begrudge somebody of Zola's stature coming back into the English game. I think it will be more the other way around, people will feel very much for Gary losing his position."