It’s been a season of opportunity and breakthrough at St Andrew’s, as Birmingham City's young guns have made their mark.

Nathan Redmond has, at times, been startling for someone so young, just 17.

And Jordon Mutch, who turned 20 in December, has started to assert his talents after a broken ankle rudely interrupted his early campaign momentum.

Jake Jervis has done very well in two loans spells, at Swindon Town and Preston North End, while Akwasi Asante has also gained valuable competitive experience elsewhere (Northampton Town) and Jack Butland’s loan to Cheltenham Town helped cement his position as England under-21 goalkeeper.

Blues latest two young debutants, Callum Reilly and Eddy Gnahore, have seen the pathway ahead - and have vowed to stay on it, straight and true.

Reilly, a versatile 18-year-old midfielder from Solihull and Gnahore, also 18, a French-born attacking midfielder, both came on as substitutes in Blues FA Cup victory at Sheffield United.

“It was an amazing experience, amazing to get on,” recalled Reilly.

“As much as a blur that it was, I was just trying to concentrate, keep the ball, not make any mistakes and help the team.

“The main thing at the moment is to just get as much experience as you can at this level.

“I was on the bench for the Wolves FA Cup tie and got a taste for it.

“As a young player, it does gives you encouragement when you see Nathan and Jordon on the pitch regularly.

“You think that just a few years ago they were where I am, or in Nathan’s case a year ago. So then you wonder if you can get to where they are now.”

Former St Peter’s School, Solihull, pupil Reilly sat alongside Morgaro Gomis in a re-jigged midfield formation for the last 10 minutes of Blues 4-0 triumph.

Gnahore was given an advanced role, just off striker Adam Rooney.