Alex McLeish has hailed the contribution of £5million striker James McFadden to Birmingham's Premier League survival bid.McFadden moved from Everton in January and has already played a major role in City's battle to stay up.

He scored his fourth goal for the club in Monday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle and has also been responsible for several assists after forming an effective partnership with Mikael Forssell.

Now the Scotland international will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in Saturday's relegation tussle at Reading.

McLeish said: "James has certainly taken on the mantle of the price tag, being a Premier League player and being a Scottish international and he knows that comes with the territory now.

"People will be looking up to him and expecting him to do something for the team and he is certainly fulfilling that and not letting anyone down.

"He certainly gave Newcastle a torrid time at the back with his ability and his balance and his goal was the icing on the cake.

"The boy has taken on the mantle of being a top player. James has matured over the last couple of years and he is making the right decisions now."

McLeish is determined to try to keep the battle to stay in the Premier League in perspective.

He said: "People keep saying games are 'six-pointers' or 'must-win matches.' They are important games but you can't call them must-win until they really are must-win.

"Nothing was decided by the game against Newcastle. It was never going to be whatever the result was and it will be the same this weekend.

"If we can keep picking up points, and trying to stay above the teams around us, then come the end of the season we hope points like the one against Newcastle will be priceless.

"I have no points total in mind. It would be nice to think we can take every point from now on but we know that is not going to be the case.

"When I was in the Champions League with Rangers, it was always about getting above the team who you were competing with or even higher and that is what we will continue to do here."

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