It has been a frustrating year, spent mostly on the sidelines, for Muzzy Izzet. But the fitagain-Birmingham City midfielder is starting to see some serious light at the end of the tunnel.

With his first two Premiership starts in 12 months now under his belt, Izzet appears to be finally over the knee injury that wrecked his first season at St Andrew's and, having been a key part of the Blues team that secured that all-important victory at Sunderland last weekend, Izzet has eyes set only on a more positive few months ahead. "Saturday was massive," he said.

"Both teams needed points and we got them but, before we played Sunderland, I looked at the three games ahead of us and thought we could get nine points.

And now we've got three of them, with home games against West Ham and Fulham to come, I think even more we can get two more wins.

"It makes it even more difficult coming back in after a long time out with injury when we've had so many out for so long and that we've been struggling for points but the confidence in the dressing room is a lot better now we've got so many players back.

"Competition for places can only bring out the best in performances. We kept the ball for long periods at Sunderland and while it didn't hurt them as much as thought we should have done, we put an extra striker on after the break and it worked out so much better.

"But formations don't win football matches. It's about the personnel and the team working hard.

"We played well against Newcastle in my first game back and just didn't get the three points we deserved. But, once we'd scored at Sunderland I always thought we'd win.

I never felt they were going to hurt us, which is a lovely feeling to have for an away team."

Izzet, rested for the win over Millwall, is expected to return on Monday night against West Ham - his local team when growing up in Mile End in the 1970s.

And, although the securing of Blues' safety is his top priority, starting with another three points against the Hammers, the 31-year-old Londoner's main target is simply staying fit and in the team.

"It can be a lonely life when you're out for so long," he said. "You forget how much you do miss it."