Speaking to the club’s official website, Leeds United left-back Charlie Taylor has expressed his delight as he returns to first-team action this weekend against Birmingham City.

Garry Monk confirmed on Wednesday that Taylor would be in contention for this evening’s clash at St Andrew’s, having missed the last two months of Leeds’ campaign.

Taylor, who has not featured since December’s victory over Brentford, told leedsunited.com: “It’s brilliant to be back, it has been a long time and you miss going out to train everyday with the lads.

“The physio room can be a lonely place at times, but it is a great feeling and good buzz to be back out on the pitches with everyone.”

Leeds currently sit fourth in the Sky Bet Championship and are looking for their first return to the Premier League since 2004.

The Whites have coped well in Taylor’s absence, with Gaetano Berardi particularly impressive whilst deputising at left-back.

The academy graduate had praise for his teammate, he continued: “I’ve got no right to come straight back into the team, Berardi has done a fantastic job, not in his natural position and he has made it look easy, he has played left-back better than I could ever play right-back.”

Leeds are eight-points clear of seventh placed Fulham, and victory over Birmingham this evening will see them edge closer to confirming their place in the top-six.

After handing in a transfer request last summer, Taylor’s long-term future at Elland Road is in doubt, but the defender insists he is ready to focus on the remainder of the campaign: “I’ve never been at the club when we have been fighting for the Play-Offs so I want to be back out there and playing.

“We are at the business end of the season now, it is an exciting time and I want to be a part of it.”

Leeds recorded their 19^th victory of the season on Saturday, where Chris Wood’s first-half strike was enough to beat Sheffield Wednesday in a cagey Yorkshire Derby.

Leeds fans… Will Taylor boost your chances of promotion? Should he come into the side for Berardi? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!