Birmingham central defender Martin Taylor has been sidelined for four months with an ankle injury but has now resumed full time training. However, the 30-year-old will have to wait until the New Year to try and gain any competitive match sharpness as City do not have any more reserve games scheduled for the remainder of 2009.

Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "Martin Taylor is available again. He is knocking on the door.

"We don't have any reserve games in the imminent future and have nothing lined up but we will try and do something to help Martin.

"He is going to have to work really hard in training, intensity type of stuff, to get himself fit, although it is not the same as match fitness.

"We will get his sharpness and stamina back to the level we expect of Premier League players. He is back in full training."