Birmingham City: How Stephen Carr is planning to make up for lost time
Spare a thought for Stephen Carr’s heavy legs at the moment.
Having not participated in a competitive first-team match since February 9 2008, the Birmingham City right-back has come out of retirement to play three bouts of 90 minutes in the space of just eight days.
With regular right-back Stuart Parnaby expected to remain sidelined for a while longer, it is extremely likely that Carr’s exhausting return to football will be extended to four full matches in 11 days when a resurgent Southampton arrive at St Andrew’s tomorrow.
The former Republic of Ireland international joined Birmingham on an initial one-month loan deal last week but judging by his sterling displays for the Championship promotion-chasers so far, it would be no surprise if manager Alex McLeish extended that agreement until the end of the season.
Even during Birmingham’s high-tempo victory over Bristol City on Wednesday night, the 32-year-old showed no obvious signs of exhaustion despite regular bursts to support Sebastian Larsson in attack on the right-flank.
McLeish has already admitted that Carr’s solid performances have come as a pleasant surprise but the player himself insists that he has much more to give to Birmingham’s race to the top flight.
“It doesn’t feel like I’ve been playing all season with my legs, I tell you,” said Carr when quizzed on the ease in which he has slotted back into competitive football.
“It’s probably the best thing for me, it’s the only way I’m going to get fit if I keep playing and I feel better every game so hopefully I can keep it going.
“I have been surprised with how swiftly I’ve got back into it. I think the last game I played was last March so it was nearly a year before I played another game.
