Taylor handed starting role

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 of the 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.

Team (from): Taylor, Carr, R Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Queudrue, Vignal, Larsson, Tainio, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden, Carsley, Doyle, Jerome, O’Connor, Phillips, Benitez, D Johnson.