Franck's been a star at the back, says Birmingham City

Sep 8 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has saluted Franck Queudrue’s key contribution to the Blues so far this season.

And it has been an unlikely success story as the French defender was expected to be kicking his heels on the sidelines.

Although the player-of-the-season from Blues’ Championship campaign, Queudrue was down the pecking order after McLeish revamped his defence.

He also had a hernia operation in the summer and a subsequent niggle during pre-season gave others opportunities.

But injury to Martin Taylor and Scott Dann opened the door at centre-half, and the 31-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong.

“Well, I really take my hat off to Franck,” admitted McLeish.

“I was really worried about him at the beginning of the season, this summer.

“Franck’s the type of build who really needs to watch his diet and train well.

“To be fair to him, he is a great trainer. But he does need to watch what he’s doing off the pitch to maintain a fitness level that is worthy of the Premier League.

“His performances have been great. You can’t fault him for what he’s done for us.

“He was asked to step in at centre-half and after a difficult game at Crewe in pre-season he has performed very well. He has been very solid.”