Maik Taylor, the Birmingham City goalkeeper, has insisted his namesake, defender Martin Taylor, has the mental strength to recover from breaking Eduardo's leg.

Martin Taylor made his comeback in last night's reserve team game against Tottenham Hotspur at Solihull, which finished in a 3-3 draw, and played the entire 90 minutes.

That was his first competitive appearance since he received a red card and three-match ban for the challenge on the Arsenal forward.

The Birmingham defender has insisted there was no malice in his challenge and that has been accepted by Eduardo but many, including Sepp Blatter and Cesc Fabregas, have severely criticised the 29-year-old over the challenge.

Maik Taylor said: "I think it will be a relief to Martin just to get back playing. He had got back in the first team, had a decent run and was playing really well. It was unfortunate what happened.

"It's great for him to be back. It's a shame to have heard some of the things that have been said. We all know what Tiny [Taylor] is all about. There is not a malicious bone in his body.

"I think it has all got blown out of proportion because of Arsene Wenger saying what he did after the game in the heat of the moment. Even though he retracted it later, the papers had been printed and the rest is history.

"Tiny genuinely tried to play the ball. I don't think there's been any mental scar on him from it although, with the outcome [Eduardo's broken leg] and everything else that has gone on, it's bound to affect you a little bit.

"But he's over that now and Tiny's conscience is clear in that there was no intent at all. He will move on and, if the ball is there to be won again I'm sure he will try and win it. It was just an unfortunate thing that happened."