Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster will always be grateful to Stoke City for signing him as a youngster.

Foster admits he owes his career in football to Stoke scout Colin Dobson ahead of Tuesday night's clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Foster was working as a chef and playing non-league football for Racing Club Warwick when spotted by Dobson.

He said: "I was working as a chef in addition to training on a Tuesday night and playing on a Saturday.

"There was a scout called Colin Dobson who worked for Stoke but was living in Warwick.

"One night, he's told me, he saw some floodlights, stopped off and had a little watch of the game - and I caught the eye.

"That was it. He made a note of it and came to watch me a few more times and things went on from there.

"I see him all the time. I have got his phone number. I owe it all to him.

"He's still at Stoke I think. I need to invite him round when I move house."