Fahey in line for first Blues start

Former St Patrick’s Athletic star Keith Fahey is expected to make his long-awaited debut for Birmingham City at home to Cardiff City on 17 January.

The Blues had hoped to give the Tallaght man, who turns 26 next week, his first start in the FA Cup third round tie with Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers but were caught up in a an eligibility row. That game was subsequently called off due to a frozen pitch.

Fahey’s international clearance did not arrive by the FA Cup deadline, while he must also serve a one-match suspension carried over from the end of the 2008 League of Ireland season meaning he must sit out next weekend’s visit to Blackpool.

The creative midfielder had an excellent season in 2008 for St Pat’s which included two virtuoso performances against Hertha Berlin in the UEFA Cup.

Those displays attracted the attention of the German club along with Celtic, Derby County and Birmingham.

Fahey signed a contract with Birmingham last week that will keep him at the club until the end of 2011-2012 season.