Birmingham City: Steven Caldwell thinks he's a lucky man despite two broken noses

Nov 13 2011 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

BATTLING bruiser Steven Caldwell is ready to continue throwing his body on the line for Blues, despite already breaking his nose twice this season.

The no-nonsense defender has been as solid as a rock at the back even if his facial features have taken a battering in the process.

Caldwell first broke his nose during a clash of bodies against Coventry in August and then suffered a similar recurrence in the win over Leeds last month.

But after coming through 14 years as a professional footballer unscathed, the 31-year-old Scot knew it was only a matter of time before something gave way.

“I was really gutted to break my nose because it wasn’t exactly small in the first place so I suppose there was always a good chance it would happen one day,” he joked.

“It just sort of happens with the adrenalin of the game and you don’t really notice it.

“My job is to be tough and try and impose myself on the player I’m playing against so I have to almost expect it.

“The first time my nose was way out to the one side, and the doctor did a really good job by putting it back pretty central.

“It was fine and dandy and then I went and did it again against Leeds.

“I think that actually straightened it up!

“When I did it the second time I was distraught because my nose was massive and the players were all laughing at me.

“I thought it was never going to be the same.

“It’s actually been OK since then. I can feel a couple of cracks still, but it feels quite straight.

“My breathing’s not too bad either, so I can’t see myself getting an operation to fix it unless it’s really something serious.