Former West Ham United midfielder Lee Bowyer insists Birmingham City have the necessary experience to stay up.

"You can't buy experience," insisted 32-year-old Bowyer, who will miss Blues' first two games of the season through suspension.

"I've done 12 or 13 years in the Premier League, Stephen Carr must have done the same, Lee Carsley and Kevin Phillips - I don't even know how long they've done.

"Obviously you need some youngsters as well but you need the experience especially in the Premier League."