Taylor ready for return after Eduardo tackle

Martin Taylor, the Birmingham City defender, could make his first-team comeback in the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester City at St Andrew’s on Saturday (Russell Kempson writes). He has not played since being sent off for the challenge in which Eduardo da Silva, the Arsenal striker, broke a leg last month.

Taylor has completed his three-match suspension for the dismissal and played for the club’s reserve team last Tuesday. He did not feature in Birmingham’s 2-1 defeat by Reading on Saturday, but may return against City because Liam Ridgwell, the centre back, will be suspended.

“It doesn’t mean Martin walks back in,” Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said. “You’ve got to give a chance to everyone else. But he’s fighting for a place next week.”

Wales injuries mount

Joe Ledley will withdraw from the Wales squad to play away to Luxembourg on Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury in Cardiff City’s victory against Bristol City. David Edwards, of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Arron Davies, of Nottingham Forest, have also pulled out.

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