Just two days into his Canary reign, Glenn Roeder this evening made his first capture as City boss with giant Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor arriving in Norfolk on a month's loan.
6ft 4in Taylor will be eligible up to and including the clash with Sheffield United on December 8 and looks set to be thrown into the cauldron of an East Anglian derby this Sunday.
With Gary Doherty still missing and the jury well and truly out on the current defensive partnership of Jason Shackell and Ian Murray, it would be a surprise if Taylor ? nicknamed 'Tiny' for obvious reasons ? did not make his City debut in this weekend's visit from the neighbours.
When Roeder was unveiled on Tuesday he revealed to the gathered press that he was hoping to add to his squad and boost competition for places; after tonight's news, you can't accuse the former Newcastle chief of failing to hit the ground running.
It is all boiling up nicely now as supporters on both sides of the River Waveney prepare for the most eagerly anticipated derby in years. With his imposing frame, Canary fans will be looking to Taylor to replicate Malky Mackay's heroics of 2004.
“I am delighted to secure the services of Martin Taylor,” Roeder told the official website.
“He is a player who I've followed throughout his career and he will be an outstanding member of the team while he is with us.”
“Martin played an important role in Birmingham's promotion to the Premiership last season and he brings much-needed height in both penalty boxes.”
Taylor, 27, was a regular in the Birmingham squad which won promotion to the Premier League last season, featuring 38 times for the Second City club.
However, this season, the man who joined Blues from Blackburn Rovers for ?1.25m in 2004 has found appearances harder to come by.
After missing the first month of the season with a stomach injury, Taylor has featured just once – in Birmingham's Carling Cup defeat at his old club Blackburn in September.
He began his career with Rovers, signing professional forms in 1997. It was his impressive performances for the Lancashire club that earned him recognition with England Under-21s.
Before that, he enjoyed loan spells with Darlington and Stockport County.
More reaction to follow?
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