Birmingham chief Alex McLeish has admitted that Craig Gardner's versatility has provided him with an alternative at right-back, reports the Birmingham Mail. With Stephen Carr and Stuart Parnaby both injured, McLeish opted to shunt Gardner from central midfield to defence for the friendly against Real Mallorca.
"We signed Craig knowing his versatility, that he could cover Stevie Carr," said McLeish.
"We tried Liam Ridgewell there in a training session a couple of days ago as Gardner had been doing really well in midfield.
"There was a dilemma there, whether I take away that confidence he's got in there just now.
"Liam did fine, so I know I can turn to him if I need to move Gardner to centre midfield."
