Blues boss backing stand-in Doyle

The Irishman steps in for suspended No 1 Maik Taylor, after he was sent off in the draw against Plymouth on Easter Monday.

Now manager McLeish has threw his support behind the replacement, insisting he has total faith in his number two shot-stopper.

He said: "Doyle has waited the whole season for his chance, he's a good professional and he's worked hard with Dave Watson (goalkeeping coach).

"He's got previous history in this division of doing well, because he helped Birmingham go up two years ago. When he came in the other day he looked very confident.

"I have no problems playing him. He has remained focused and credit to Dave Watson, he keeps them on their toes and trains them hard every day.

"Doyle has been a good student and I think the big fella won't be fazed by it. He's got a wee bit of temperament about him and he's got the bottle."

While Taylor is replaced, player-of-the-season Franck Queudrue looks set fill the gap left by the broken leg to key centre-back Liam Ridgewell.

Martin Taylor is the other option to partner Radhi Jaidi but McLeish said: "Franck gives us the balance on the left side and he would be in poll position if he's fit.

"We have played Tiny (Taylor) and Radhi together and they've done well, so there's also that option, but Franck is at a good level of fitness.

"When he plays too many games in quick succession then he can get a bit leggy, but he seems to be in fairly fine form at the moment."