Bruce warns returning Upson
27 Nov 2006 - 13:18:47
Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has warned Matthew Upson that he won't walk straight back into the starting line-up following his return from injury.
The injury-plagued defender made his first appearance for nine months when he came on in stoppage time during the Blues' 2-1 victory at Burnley on Saturday.
But the former England international - sidelined after snapping an Achilles tendon - must prove to Bruce that he deserves to break up the current central defensive partnership of Martin Taylor and Radhi Jaidi.
"He's possibly our biggest and best player now available for selection," Bruce told the Birmingham Mail.
"But I'm also wary of the magnificent job my back four and goalkeeper have done during the last month.
"Why should I tinker with it when these people are playing as well as they possibly could, as a unit?"
