Taylor set for Blues start - 7M sport

Taylor set for Blues start

Posted Sunday, November 01, 2009 by PA

Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor will make his first Barclay's Premier League start of the season against Manchester City at St Andrews on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland number one will replace on-loan City keeper Joe Hart, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Defender Gregory Vignal is back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, although he may have to be content with a substitute's role because ofthe form of Liam Ridgewell.

Winger Keith Fahey is again doubtful with an ankle injury as the home side look to build on their 2-1 victory over Sunderland last weekend.

Alex McLeish has challenged midfielder James McFadden to reproduce the form shown in the win over Sunderland on a more consistent basis.

The Scottish international was back to his best when scoring against the Black Cats after operating in a more attacking role.

McLeish wants to see the former Everton player maintain that sort of standard week in, week out ahead of the clash.

The former Scotland boss said: "It was great to see James getting involved in the game and popping up everywhere against Sunderland last weekend.

"He showed his undoubted skill in great abundance and it is about getting James to do that regularly.

"An international player should be doing that kind of thing 10 to 15 games in a row and that is what we will be demanding from James.

"He is a key figure here at St Andrew's and can be some player for this club.

"We know James didn't quite scale the heights in terms of the expectation levels for a player of his ability last season.

"There were reasons, like illness and injuries, and he never quite got a consistent season under his belt.

"Since he has been in England, he has never really played a full season, and was rotated at Everton quite a bit, but he has got great ability."

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes expects Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov to be back in the squad, having missed the midweek Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe with minor injuries.

Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy, both rested to the bench for that fourth round tie, are also likely to be back in the side.

Hughes has virtually a fully fit squad to chose from, with only Nedum Onuoha and Robinho still recovering from injuries. Both are close to returning.

Joleon Lescott returns to his home city intent on being the perfect diplomat.

The Birmingham-born defender has had to learn to be careful with his words following the acrimony surrounding his #24million move from Everton to Manchester City.

He was accused of having a bad attitude and dropped by Everton boss David Moyes before then having to prove himself in a club intent on cracking the top four.

If that was not enough, at St Andrew's he will be a boyhood Aston Villa fan facing Birmingham.

But the diplomatic England defender insists he wants Birmingham to progress and succeed in the top flight.

Lescott said: "It is extra special for me going back to my home town. I'd love to win there, especially as I grew up an Aston Villa fan.

"But now, as I have got older, you realise that it is great for a city like Birmingham to have two Premier League teams in it.

"Maybe my old Villa mates might disagree, but I wish Birmingham all the best, but not against us.

"There is a great rivalry between the two clubs, just like in Manchester. The Birmingham derby is something special, the city comes to a standstill.

"I have had plenty of family and friends wishing me luck, they are all Villa fans.

"But I can really only concentrate on Manchester City and what we need, that's the same focus it would be against anyone."

He added: "Birmingham look like they are going to have some money to spend soon with new owners, and that would only increase the rivalry with Villa and obviously help them compete.

"So good luck to them. I know there will be a bit of banter from the Birmingham fans, what with me being a Villa fan and having played for Wolves.

"But it will be lighthearted, I'm sure. I thrive on all that and I have scored a few goals in my time at Birmingham, so let's hope I can do it again."

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.