Birmingham City FC

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• Manager:Alex McLeish

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Taylor back in Blues action

19 Mar 2008 - 07:26:07

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Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor made his first appearance since his challenge which left Eduardo da Silva with a broken leg after turning out for the club's reserves on Tuesday evening.

The 28-year-old defender has been sidelined through suspension since his tackle which left the Arsenal striker with a horrific injury during a 2-2 draw at St Andrew's on February 23.

Taylor played the full 90 minutes as the Blues drew 3-3 draw with Spurs at Damson Park.

However despite serving his three-game suspension, Birmingham boss Alex McLeish may opt to leave Taylor out of his squad for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Reading.

The Blues have picked up four points from a possible nine in Taylor's absence with a new central defensive partnership of Liam Ridgewell and Radhi Jaidi.

Taylor's return to action comes hot on the heels of the Football Association rejecting a call from FIFA to extend his ban.

The game's global governing body had called on the FA to increase his three-match ban following the tackle which left Eduardo fighting for his career.

However, the FA were adamant that Taylor's suspension for serious foul play should remain at the regulation three matches.

"It would be unreasonable at this stage of the season to change our disciplinary procedures purely on the basis of one case," said an FA spokesman.

"That would be a dangerous precedent to set.

"Serious foul play carries a three-match ban and the only cases where that has been increased is where there has been a clear case of intent and no-one is suggesting that happened in this case."