Former Birmingham City striker spotted at Championship rivals despite transfer message

Former Birmingham City striker Lyle Taylor is in talks to join Sheffield Wednesday.

Earlier this summer, Blues were encouraged to reunite with Taylor by 18-time England international Carlton Palmer.

He said it would be a ‘win-win’ signing and suggested John Eustace was in the market for a striker. Taylor scored five goals in 14 games during a loan spell in the 2021/22 season.

Birmingham’s Championship rivals have stolen a march on them however. The Star reported on Tuesday night that Taylor was at Hillsborough.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of this summer.

He is confirmed to be on trial with the Owls but a deal has not yet been confirmed which could open up the opportunity to Birmingham should they wish to act.

Speaking to The Star, Xisco Munoz said: “We are trying to find one striker for us - we’re looking for somebody who can give us something different, something to improve the last third.

“We can improve at training every day and maybe in three months we are at the level, or we can find another one - so now he’s training with us, and after that we’ll decide if he’s going to continue with us or not.

"Right now he’s an option, and we’ll evaluate whether he can give something special for the team and help the squad. He’s the sort of player that can give something different."

If Taylor does complete a move to Wednesday then he could line up against his former club. Wednesday play Birmingham on November 25, before the reverse fixture in February.

In other news, Eustace will be able to call upon one of his forwards once again however after a period of unavailability.

Lukas Jutkewicz has served his three-game suspension. He was red carded against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup and the club opted not to appeal the decision.

Birmingham suffered a 2-1 defeat to early pace setters Preston North End on Tuesday night.

It is a quick turnaround however with the team back in action against QPR on Friday night in front of the Sky Sports television cameras for a second game in a row.

Lee Buchanan is also back available to John Eustace after missing the Preston defeat because of his red card against Watford. Emmanuel Longelo slotted in at left-back in Buchanan’s absence.