Craig Gardner was delighted with his first start for Birmingham City in their defeat at West Ham United.

He was used wide on the right, with Sebastian Larsson gaining a breather as an unused replacement on the bench.

"When the gaffer named the team and I found out I was starting, I was buzzing," he admitted. "It's always nice to play but when it's your new team, it's great. I was just disappointed with the result. It obviously wasn't the best."

"I have played in a number of positions in my career," Gardner continued.

"I have been signed as a player who is a centre midfield player, who can also play out on the right, which is absolutely fine with me. I can come in, I can get into the pockets, I can get the ball and get turned at the defence.

"In a way it's like playing centre midfield. You're not asked to play right out there wide but quite narrow, in to out a bit, which suits me. Obviously as I have more games the stronger I will get. It was my first start and first 90 minutes in a while.

"I felt fit. Towards the end I probably felt a bit tired, which is to be expected. But the more I play the fitter and stronger I get."