Alex McLeish has challenged Birmingham midfielder James McFadden to reproduce the form shown in the win over Sunderland on a more consistent basis.

The Scottish international was back to his best when scoring against the Black Cats after operating in a more attacking role.

McLeish wants to see the former Everton player maintain that sort of standard week in, week out ahead of Sunday's home Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The former Scotland boss said: "It was great to see James getting involved in the game and popping up everywhere against Sunderland last weekend.

"He showed his undoubted skill in great abundance and it is about getting James to do that regularly.

"An international player should be doing that kind of thing 10 to 15 games in a row and that is what we will be demanding from James.

"He is a key figure here at St Andrew's and can be some player for this club.

"We know James didn't quite scale the heights in terms of the expectation levels for a player of his ability last season.

"There were reasons, like illness and injuries, and he never quite got a consistent season under his belt.

"Since he has been in England, he has never really played a full season, and was rotated at Everton quite a bit, but he has got great ability."

McLeish is full of praise for the new centre-back pairing of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann and their willingness to improve and learn from their mistakes.

The duo are both tasting top-flight football for the first time since their summer moves from Championship clubs Cardiff and Coventry respectively.

McLeish said: "Johnson has come in and done well and so has Dann. I think both of them are still learning.

"There are things we talk about in the week during training and I believe they can improve even further.

"With the goals we have lost, keepers and centre-halfs are always in the thick of the action and the finger is pointed at these fellows.

"They know the next time they make mistakes like that they put their place in jeopardy.

"But I've seen from Roger and Scott that they are quick learners and that is the type of character that gets you to the next level.

"They are rookie centre-halfs who have just come in from the Championship and last weekend played against two top quality strikers (Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent) and they were excellent."

"I keep working with them and I think they can improve in terms of position at times and these are things we are still working at.

"I believe they will become better players, sniffing danger, all the things that make you a good defender.

"They are beginning to evolve and that happens sometimes through making mistakes. They are quick learners."