Cunningham to fight for starting place

Birmingham skipper Kenny Cunningham could face a battle to regain his central defensive spot for Saturday’s bottom-of-the-table clash with Sunderland because of the form of Martin Taylor.

Blues boss Steve Bruce admitted Taylor deserved to keep his place ahead of the postponed clash with Bolton at St Andrews on Monday and that strategy is unlikely to change against Mick McCarthy’s side.

Cunningham has operated at right-back in recent games in the absence of Mario Melchiot but now the former Chelsea player, Bruce’s first choice in that position, has recovered from a knee problem.

Former Republic of Ireland skipper Cunningham has been one of the key performers in establishing Blues in the Premiership since arriving from Wimbledon on a free transfer in the summer of 2002.

But for the first time the 34-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, is facing a genuine battle to regain his place at the heart of the defence.

Bruce will not reveal his hand in terms of team selection and this week he gave a glowing endorsement to Cunningham whom he believes can play on in the top flight after this season.

But he admitted: “Martin Taylor has been excellent. Martin and Matthew Upson were excellent at Newcastle.

“Mario Melchiot is fit as well now. It gives you options and keeps everyone on their toes. As a manager, there is nothing quite like that strength in depth.

“The bigger names are back. But I said ‘how could I leave Neil Kilkenny out of the team at the minute?’ and the same applies with Martin Taylor.

“He played excellently against Everton and was excellent against Alan Shearer and Michael Owen at St James’ Park. He has been terrific in the last two games.”

Taylor’s emergence will not surprise Cunningham, who claimed last season the former Blackburn player could play as important a role as Upson in the future.