WHEN Colin Todd names an unchanged team for Sunday's St Andrew's showdown he will underline his confidence and faith in Robbie Elliott's talent and versatility.

The Geordie defender will keep his place at the heart of a back four that holds the key to Wanderers' hopes of extending their 14-match unbeaten run against a Birmingham side that also has promotion ambitions.

And in so doing, he will underline the iron-willed determination that has seen him fight his way back from injury and upset to take a starring role in the push for the Premiership.

"Robbie has come back through the most difficult of circumstances," Todd said of the player whose £2.5 million transfer from Newcastle in the Summer of 1997 signalled his club's intention of being accepted as a Premiership force.

Breaking his leg on his home debut in the infamous first Reebok fixture against Everton robbed Wanderers of a highly-rated talent and Elliott of a priceless year in his relatively short career.

"He had to be patient and it was great to see him dig deep and come back," Todd recalls of his early return on the pre-season tour of Ireland. "Then he was hit by tendonitis, which put him back even further.

"But he always had the belief and I always knew he was capable of fighting back."

Todd always knew Elliott's versatility would come in handy but he denies any suggestion that playing him at centre-back in the absence of injured trio Paul Warhurst, Gudni Bergsson and Andy Todd smacks of desperation.

"I've seen him play at centre-back in the Premiership and I had a look at him there in the private friendly we had against Nottingham Forest. Robbie's a good defender, reads the game well and he can tackle. And I don't agree that his lack of height is a problem."

Trevor Francis was trying desperately today to strengthen his Birmingham squad ahead of Sunday's St Andrew's clash.

The Blues boss is chasing Crystal Palace duo, striker Lee Bradbury and centre-back Craig Moore, in a £2.5 million raid on his cash-strapped Division One rivals.

Efforts to sign Jon Newsome from Sheffield Wednesday or Chris Lucketti from Bury have foundered and Francis was thought to have resigned himself to shuffling his existing squad, which has been hit by injury and suspension.

Now he appears to be aiming to take advantage of the London club's financial crisis.

Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association will hold their monthly meeting at the Reebok Stadium's Lion of Vienna Suite next Thursday (7.45).

Reduced membership will be available on the night along with tickets for the Player of the Year night on May 1. Membership information is available from Kath Brown (01204) 578125 and ticket information for the awards night is available from Joyce Williams 405058.

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