Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says he's in awe of Stephen Carr's impact this season.

The full-back kicked his heels at home in Dublin for seven months after his release by Newcastle United at the end of 2007-08.

He trained with Blues with a view to a short-term contract to help them overcome injury problems in the Championship and has never looked back.

Eck told the Birmingham Mail: "I'm absolutely in awe of Stevie's performances and how well he has played, how consistently he has played and how much mobility he still has in his game and his quality.

"I have been very, very impressed with Stevie Carr.

"You do look at ages and the centre-halves are young. Liam Ridgewell is young.

''Stevie is the elder statesmen, captain, but playing like a 20-year-old.

"He's got the legs of a 20-year-old, he's looking a superb athlete.

''I can't praise him highly enough. He has brought a real extra dimension to the position."