Radhi Jaidi could benefit from Martin Taylor suspension

Feb 27 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

RADHI Jaidi could return to the heart of Blues defence for Saturday's visit of Spurs.

He would be the natural replacement for Martin Taylor, who begins a three-game suspension.

But Blues also have a doubt over Liam Ridgewell, who turned his ankle against Arsenal after going up for a header. So Rafael Schmitz has also been put on standby.

"We could stay with Stephen Kelly there, but it would mean moving a full-back to centre-half," said Alex McLeish, on the subject of Taylor's replacement.

"Radhi Jaidi has honed his sharpness in the Africa Cup of Nations. When he came back for pre-season, I don't think he was at his fittest, and it does take a while to get yourself right.

"I know from personal experience, if you don't have the best ever pre-season it can be tough.

"And it wasn't until January that I found my best form one season and I vowed never to let it happen again.

"I see that with Jaidi, there's a lot of sharpness there now.

"He turned out in the Birmingham Senior Cup game on Monday and his attitude, in a back four with Franck Queudrue and Rafael Schmitz there too, was a credit, as was the other's.

"So Jaidi could come in, we've got Schmitz who could come in.

"We're sweating a bit over Liam Ridgewell, whose ankle has swollen up. He's in the doubtful category."