Image source, Empics

We are almost ready to start again at Pride Park.

It's been a fairly frustrating time for Blues boss Gianfranco Zola so far this afternoon.

Perhaps the second half will bring more festive joy for the diminutive Italian.

Earlier, Brighton went two points clear at the top of the table with a 3-0 win over 10-man QPR.

QPR manager Ian Holloway told BBC Radio 5 live: "The boys need some help. We've got men going down like skittles and our squad isn't as strong as others.

"When you lose six in a row, it does (feel like you're in a relegation battle). But this is the Championship and we've got half a season left. Talk to me later on about it."

Image source, Rex Features

One future transfer to tell you about... West Bromwich Albion midfielder Callum McManaman is to join Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a half-season loan from 1 January.

The former Wigan winger, 25, joined Albion in January 2015 and has made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League club.

While we wait for the second half to start at Pride Park, time for some other Championship news today.

Cardiff, four points above the bottom three, may have suffered a blow in their bid for survival.

Centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga has been named in Gabon's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 28-year-old has made 14 appearances this season, but the Bluebirds will be without his services for a large chunk of January while the tournament is on.

Here's the tale of the first half, in statistical form.

We are still waiting for either Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson or Blues counterpart Tomasz Kuszczak to make a meaningful save.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Empics

Referee Graham Scott blows for half-time at Pride Park.

It has been somewhat cagey in the east Midlands, with Birmingham largely looking to frustrate Derby and disrupt their rhythm.

It's worked so far.

We are into one added minute at the end of the first half.

Gerry Taggart
Ex-Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio 5 live

It's been a pretty even game.

The two sides have set up the same way and it's played out that way. They've cancelled each other out.

The only thing that's been lacking has been that quality final touch.

Derby centre-back Richard Keogh, of all people, goes on a silky run forward.

He reaches the edge of the area before he loses control of the ball and Ryan Shotton clears the danger.

It was a good inswinging delivery from Greg Stewart but the ball hits a white shirt and Derby clear away.

Stewart comes again down the right but his pull-back is behind everyone.

Derby's attacking flow, and dominance of the ball, has been disrupted rather well by Birmingham in the last few minutes.

The Blues win a corner on the right as Jonathan Spector has a cross blocked.

Michael Morrison gets his head on a free-kick into the Derby box, but he was almost on the edge of the area and it was meat and drink for Rams keeper Scott Carson.

Ikechi Anya is released down the left and does well to beat his man, but his cross is too close to Blues goalie Tomasz Kuszczak.

Image source, Rex Features

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport at Pride Park

If a Derby goal is to be created by a moment of brilliance, it's likely to come from Will Hughes. A delightful turn and dinked cross almost led to Darren Bent getting on the end of an inviting ball in from Johnny Russell.

Hughes has that extra bit of quality and it screams at you when he gets on the ball.

Assistant manager Chris Powell was quick to show his apprecation. 

Derby have the ball in the net, but the offside flag was up on the far side and it was a correct decision, as Darren Bent was clearly ahead of the defence.

It was a lovely through ball from Will Hughes which found the striker though.

Birmingham come forward but Richard Keogh heads the ball clear from in front of Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Greg Stewart then has a run at left-back Ikechi Anya but he then fouls Johnny Russell.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport at Pride Park

Derby's Darren Bent is - let's say - fairly conservative in his off-the-ball running. But when he makes a run he tends to make it count.

With plenty of pace around him, Bent is looking a very smart striker and is well aware of when to bust a gut and when to stand easy.

Image source, Rex Features

Home midfielder Bradley Johnson has a shot blocked in the area after a corner found its way to the midfielder at the back post.

Derby are starting to gain the upper hand here.

Another chance for Derby as Will Hughes floats a ball in to the back post towards Johnny Russell.

The winger gets on the end of it on the left and turns the ball back at goal.

Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak is down smartly to smother the ball from in front of the lurking Darren Bent.

Gerry Taggart
Ex-Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio 5 live

It was a difficult angle, but Jutkiewicz should at least have hit the target. That's an opportunity missed for Birmingham City.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live commentary via the audio icon at the top of the page.

Derby midfielder Jacob Butterfield has a go from way out, but his left-footed effort gets a deflection and goes straight into the arms of Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

At the other end, Lukas Jutkiewicz finds a bit of space, but badly skews his shot wide from just outside the box.