Birmingham City striker Gary McSheffrey is delighted to be back in the Premiership.
McSheffrey, City's top scorer with 16 goals last season, made his Premiership debut as a 16-year-old for Coventry in February 1999 against Aston Villa.
At that time McSheffrey was the youngest ever player to appear in the top flight, but three substitute appearances the following year are his only other taste of the elite.
"Ever since I had a taste of the Premiership as a youngster it's been eating away at me to get back there.
"I was quite unlucky because when Coventry were up there I had a few injuries and then they got relegated.
"But these last few years I've been playing first-team football consistently and, when it comes to this season, I want to take the opportunity.
"When I made my Premiership debut all those years back, it was a bit surreal and I couldn't believe the scenario I was part of. I was just a kid back then.
"I hadn't learnt my trade. I was really inexperienced, fresh-faced and hungry.
"Now I've got a bit more nous about me. I've developed a lot since then as a player and this time around I hope I can grasp the chance and be ready for it."
