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Taylor set for Blues start Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor will make his first Barclay's Premier League start of the season against Manchester City at St Andrews on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland number one will replace on-loan City keeper Joe Hart, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Defender Gregory Vignal is back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, although he may have to be content with a substitute's role because ofthe form of Liam Ridgewell.

Winger Keith Fahey is again doubtful with an ankle injury as the home side look to build on their 2-1 victory over Sunderland last weekend.

Alex McLeish has challenged midfielder James McFadden to reproduce the form shown in the win over Sunderland on a more consistent basis.

The Scottish international was back to his best when scoring against the Black Cats after operating in a more attacking role.

McLeish wants to see the former Everton player maintain that sort of standard week in, week out ahead of the clash.

The former Scotland boss said: "It was great to see James getting involved in the game and popping up everywhere against Sunderland last weekend.

"He showed his undoubted skill in great abundance and it is about getting James to do that regularly.

"An international player should be doing that kind of thing 10 to 15 games in a row and that is what we will be demanding from James.

"He is a key figure here at St Andrew's and can be some player for this club.

"We know James didn't quite scale the heights in terms of the expectation levels for a player of his ability last season.

"There were reasons, like illness and injuries, and he never quite got a consistent season under his belt.

"Since he has been in England, he has never really played a full season, and was rotated at Everton quite a bit, but he has got great ability." Manchester City boss Mark Hughes expects Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov to be back in the squad, having missed the midweek Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe with minor injuries.

Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy, both rested to the bench for that fourth round tie, are also likely to be back in the side.

Hughes has virtually a fully fit squad to chose from, with only Nedum Onuoha and Robinho still recovering from injuries. Both are close to returning.

Joleon Lescott returns to his home city intent on being the perfect diplomat.

The Birmingham-born defender has had to learn to be careful with his words following the acrimony surrounding his #24million move from Everton to Manchester City.

He was accused of having a bad attitude and dropped by Everton boss David Moyes before then having to prove himself in a club intent on cracking the top four.

If that was not enough, at St Andrew's he will be a boyhood Aston Villa fan facing Birmingham.

But the diplomatic England defender insists he wants Birmingham to progress and succeed in the top flight.

Lescott said: "It is extra special for me going back to my home town. I'd love to win there, especially as I grew up an Aston Villa fan.

"But now, as I have got older, you realise that it is great for a city like Birmingham to have two Premier League teams in it.

"Maybe my old Villa mates might disagree, but I wish Birmingham all the best, but not against us.

"There is a great rivalry between the two clubs, just like in Manchester. The Birmingham derby is something special, the city comes to a standstill.

"I have had plenty of family and friends wishing me luck, they are all Villa fans.

"But I can really only concentrate on Manchester City and what we need, that's the same focus it would be against anyone." He added: "Birmingham look like they are going to have some money to spend soon with new owners, and that would only increase the rivalry with Villa and obviously help them compete.

"So good luck to them. I know there will be a bit of banter from the Birmingham fans, what with me being a Villa fan and having played for Wolves.

Birmingham vs Man City

Last modified 20:32 01/11/09

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Mark Hughes’ Man City side failed to provide him with the victory he craved on his birthday as the visitors had Shay Given to thank for saving them.

Man City have now drawn their last four Premier League games to lose ground on leaders Chelsea.

And it could have been even worse for the visitors had keeper Given not saved a second half penalty from James McFadden.

The point moves City up into fourth place on goal difference above Tottenham.

But it was not the vintage performance Hughes would have wished for to toast his 46th birthday.

And City can ill-afford many more indifferent displays like this if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

Granted the visitors were without the crocked trio of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robinho.

Yet they still should have had enough firepower with Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy on the pitch to put promoted Brum to the sword.

But the home side turned in one of their best displays of the campaign to more than match their illustrious opponents.

Birmingham were gritty in defence and broke intelligently with striker Christian Benitez causing havoc as he hit a post.

Their only setback was a second caution late on for Barry Ferguson who was sent off and will now miss Brum’s next game at Liverpool a week today.

Ferguson played well though as he had the first sight of goal early on as he shot just wide from the edge of the area.

And Brum’s Ecuadorian striker Benitez hit the woodwork in the ninth minute with a deflected effort off Vincent Kompany.

Then moments later Benitez, nicknamed Chucho, brought Given into action with a left-foot shot which the keeper did well to block after racing off his line.

But Man City’s stars soon began to impose themselves as Roque Santa Cruz headed just wide from Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross in the 13th minute.

And centre-back Roger Johnson had to make a vital block to deflect Bellamy’s goal-bound shot wide a minute later.

Maik Taylor in the Brum goal did well to stop a tricky dipping shot from Wright-Phillips which bounced infront of him in the 19th minute before skipper Stephen Carr cleared.

McLeish’s side continued to fashion chances though as McFadden fired in a good effort from distance which Given tipped over in the 27th minute.

But Santa Cruz brought another save out of Taylor at his near post before Carlos Tevez shot over from distance.

Bellamy, fouled by McFadden, then had an opportunity before the break with a free-kick from 40 yards which trickled wide.

Yet Birmingham finished the half the stronger as Lee Bowyer forced Given into another save.

Given was called into action again in the 56th minute when referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty following a handball by Nigel De Jong.

But the Republic of Ireland shot-stopper flung himself to his left to parry McFadden’s effort as the visitors escaped.

McFadden was promptly subbed as the Scot trooped off questioning his manager’s decision.

And neither side looked like snatching a victory as the game fizzled out despite six minutes of stoppage time.