James McFadden and Christian Benitez in Birmingham City forward battle

Mar 26 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

JAMES McFadden and Christian Benitez are competing for Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish’s favour.

The Blues boss has rotated the pair as Cameron Jerome’s striking partner the past five weeks.

And McFadden’s performance and goal at Blackburn Rovers could see him stay in the spearhead role, should McLeish not opt to include them both, with McFadden out wide on the left.

“I thought James played well the other night,” commented McLeish. “I’d kind of thrown a gauntlet down to the forwards.

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“I think Cameron is leading the line now on merit.