Norwich's on loan central defender Martin Taylor has returned to Birmingham City after his initial loan deal expired.The Premiership club's official website confirmed the 28-year-old was back at St Andrews following the completion of a successful Carrow Road loan spell which officially ended on Tuesday.

Norwich boss Glenn Roeder was tonight warned to dip into the Carrow Road coffers or miss out on Birmingham defender Martin Taylor.

St Andrews' chief Alex McLeish revealed Championship rivals QPR had opened negotiations for the big centre back with Blues' managing director Karren Brady over a potential January transfer switch.

Birmingham confirmed Taylor had returned to the Midlands after the Canaries failed in their bid to extend the 28-year-old's successful Carrow Road loan spell which officially ended on Tuesday.

Roeder admitted last week he was keen to keep Taylor on loan into the New Year ahead of a possible permanent move - but the City boss now faces stiff competition from relegation-threatened Rangers.

McLeish reiterated Taylor was surplus to requirements despite having two-and-a-half years left on his current contract.

“I've spoken to Martin and he's down the pecking order,” said McLeish. “I've said that if the right club comes in for him it will be time for him to move on. He's done well for Norwich and Martin's performances have helped them climb up off the bottom of the table. There are one or two (clubs) interested in Martin and his agent and Martin himself are weighing those up. I think Queens Park Rangers are in the hunt and they are in negotiations with Karren (Brady).”

Taylor - a key figure in City's recent upswing after arriving as Roeder's first signing - refused to commit his long term future to the Canaries when he signed off with a win against Sheffield United.

“It's just everything that comes with it - what I want to do, what will happen with my future,” he said. “I need to talk to Birmingham again and see what happens there, I am obviously under contract there. But I have enjoyed my time here, I've got on really well with the lads, the fans are incredible, it's a really good club.

“I don't want to be going back there saying no to a good team like Norwich and going back there and sitting in the reserves again, so I'm glad I know that now and can use that to decide what I am going to do.”

Roeder is desperate to bolster his central defence with only two recognised senior players Jason Shackell and Gary Doherty now available for City's East Anglian derby trip to Colchester this weekend.

Norwich continue to be strongly linked with Wigan outcast Fitz Hall - reportedly another target for QPR's ambitious new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

Rangers are lining up a £1.2m move for Hall in the transfer window according to national media speculation. Hall is set to be offloaded at the JJB as part of New Year clear out by new Latics' boss Steve Bruce.