Blues keeper Maik Taylor has tipped Darren Carter to break into the England Under-21 set up in 2005. Carter, who has just turned 21 in December, has previously been picked for the under-21 squad on just one occassion. He was part of Peter Taylor's squad that travelled to Ukraine in August, but Carter was not selected in the match day sixteen.

But Taylor believes that the Under-21 scouts would be made not to have been watching Carter since his return to the blues first team. Taylor told theFA.com:

"I'm sure the England U21 people must be looking at him and I hope he gets his chance."

The goalkeeper spoke after blues got their fourth win on the bounce against Fulham to record their best run of form since they were promoted to the Premier League. Not suprisingly this run of form has coincided with the return of Carter into the squad.

Carter was sent out on loan to Sunderland at the start of the season but with injuries to Muzzy Izzet and the disapointing displays of Jesper Gronkjaer, Bruce recalled Carter and put him straight into the team for the local derby against Aston Villa.

"He's been away on loan at Sunderland but then Muzzy Izzet got injured and they called him back. To be fair it was a bit of a surprise when he got put straight in the team. But the manager picked him and he was outstanding against Villa." said Taylor.

"And since then in the four games we've played since he's been our star man in almost every one. If he keeps his head down and keeps working hard I'm sure he will be a star."

And the blues fans will be hoping that Taylor's predictions come true after seeing another former blues youngster, Andrew Johnson, being tipped for a senior England cap. The fans will be hoping that Carter will be the first product of the blues academy to represent England at the highest level after already representing his country for the Under 19's and Under 20's.

With Englands lack of left midfielder's, Carter could certainly get his chance in Sven Goran Eriksson's midfield as Taylor points out:

"The good thing for him is that he's English and he's left-sided as well. He's been playing in the centre of midfield but he can play on the left"

With Stewart Downing set to get his first England call up next month after just six months playing at the top level of English football, Carters call up may be quicker than he expects. If the brummie-born midfielder can continue his rich vein of form and help blues into the top half of the table then the youngster may force his way into Eriksson's squad before the end of 2005.

2005 is set to be a big year for both Darren Carter and Birmingham City. And according to Taylor:

"He has a big future, I'm sure of that."