Birmingham City striker Gary McSheffrey insists they can beat the drop next season.

As it stands now, the majority of a probable first-choice XI could be considered still in their Premier League infancy.

McSheffrey was Coventry City's and the league's youngest ever debutant when he appeared as a substitute aged 16 years and 198 days two years before they were relegated.

He told the Birmingham Mail: "I think it can be good for us. We look at Reading and not a lot of their players had Premiership experience and they stormed it. They finished comfortably mid-table and were pushing for Europe.

"Hopefully that can be the same for us. We've got a lot of good, young and hungry players who just want a chance of Premiership football.

"I think a lot of the lads will thrive on it and take their chance. We don't want to under-achieve and let ourselves down, that's our aim. We want to prove ourselves at the highest level and that will be a big motivating factor."

A different expectation level could also aid Blues, McSheffrey admitted. It weighed heavily in the Championship; in the Premiership survival will be measured as a success.

"We will be underdogs for a lot of games," said McSheffrey. "We don't mind that. We are confident in our ability as a team and I know we have got good players.

"In fact, I think we have got players more suited to the Premiership than the Championship. But at the same time, we have got doggers as well who put their foot in and stood out for us last season.

"With a few additions, I think we will do all right. If we get a good start, then you never know what might happen."