MATT Taylor has earned special praise for his barnstorming return to the Wanderers first team.

The winger’s start against Chelsea in midweek was his first in the Premier League since the 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in February.

And Owen Coyle has paid tribute to his attitude – which is likely to earn him another starting role against Stoke this weekend.

Taylor had amassed 97 minutes of football from the bench in eight games since last being named in the manager’s first 11.

But the Scot said his response to being put back into the team on Tuesday night was exactly what he had been looking for.

“I said to the players after the Chelsea game that I was loathe to pick out an individual, but Matt Taylor had been absolutely magnificent for us,” he said.

“The ball he whipped in at the end of the game for Johan Elmander was world class. He had shots through people’s legs which on another day would have gone in, and had a great chance in the first half when Chung-Yong Lee put a good ball into the far post. He was really unlucky with that.

“But you talk about responses, because Matt has been out of the team, and that is exactly what you want.”

Taylor’s comeback came as a result of a tactical rethink by Coyle at Stamford Bridge, which included a five-man midfield.

And the Whites boss said the system’s success could lead to it being used in more games away from the Reebok in the future.

“People might call it defensive but I wanted Fabrice Muamba and Sam Ricketts to stop their midfield playing, and they did,” he said.

“It gave Jack Wilshere and Chung-Yong Lee licence to play further forward, and I think it is a good shape, especially away from home.

“It was designed to go and win a game on the counter attack, and it gives me food for thought for the future.”