DAVID Holdsworth may have only moved a few miles along the M6 but the big defender has swapped a promotion push for a relegation battle.

The former Birmingham City man will be ready to do battle with Clarets top scorer Gareth Taylor in tonight's crunch clash at the Bescot Stadium.

It was Trevor Francis who brought Holdsworth to the Blues three years ago but his days seemed numbered when Steve Bruce took over at St Andrews.

It was actually Bruce who sold Holdsworth when he was manager at Sheffield United and when he finally took over from Francis he signed up Steve Vickers.

Holdsworth became a peripheral figure and when new Saddlers boss targeted him after taking over from Ray Graydon he had little hesitation in making the move.

Holdsworth has been a dependable centre half throughout his career and is fast approaching the 500 league game mark, the majority having been played for his first club Watford.

Now all the 33-year-old's experience will be needed to help his new side climb away from the relegation zone. His main task tomorrow night is a simple one, stop Taylor from adding to his current run of four goals in six games, the latest the towering header against Norwich City on Saturday.

Taylor relishes aerial battles and he will be hoping that the supply of crosses will be plentiful tonight. He has already netted a season's best total of 14 league goals and he knows that adding to that figure will be vital to his side's play-off hopes.