GARETH Taylor has occasionally been the subject of criticism from Clarets fans, despite the fact that he was top scorer in his first full season at the club.

But his value to the side was perfectly illustrated last week when he was ruled out of the clash with Walsall as Stan Ternent noted the absence of his aerial threat.

He returns from a combination of international duty and suspension tomorrow and is set to have a battle for the skies with Leicester City skipper Matty Elliott, pictured above.

The former Scotland player has been the heart and soul of City since he moved to Filbert Street from Oxford United almost six years ago.

Not only strong in defence he is a real threat at the other end where he has scored a lot of important goals including a Wembley winner in the Worthington Cup in 2000 against Tranmere Rovers.

Taking on a big striker like Taylor is just the sort of challenge the Foxes star relishes and the two men will be battling it out for aerial supremacy.

The Wales striker has scored in the last two away league games and he will be out to make it a hat-trick of sorts tomorrow.

He is certainly on a high after the incredible experience of being part of the Welsh squad that beat Italy in midweek.