Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has praised Damien Johnson, who started his first league game in eight months during last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading.

In that time the Northern Ireland international has made just one substitute appearance in the final game of last season and had just one Carling Cup outing this term, having been dogged by a succession of hamstring injuries.

But following an injection and two recent outings in the reserves, Johnson was afforded an opportunity in McLeish's lineup through Mehdi Nafti's suspension.

He took his chance, too. The obligatory booking was backed up by a typically industrious display, some crucial interventions in midfield and, commendably, a full 90 minutes to the surprise of many of his team-mates.

McLeish certainly noted the former captain's contribution but refused to guarantee the 29-year-old's place. "He gave a sterling performance and deserves a lot of praise for his knowhow in midfield and his doggedness," the manager said.

"He is a good leader. Guys like Jonty have got all the experience but what I want is competition for places. Jonty is one of the guys who has been there and done it before and can be an inspiration to other players in the way he gets about his job.

"But we've got to look at each game as it comes. He came in because of Nafti who has been doing well for us so now I've got a dilemma and a selection headache next week."

One man almost certain to start against Bolton Wanderers this Saturday is striker Cameron Jerome. He might have scored the winner and his third goal in three games had the visitors' goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann not played so well.

After a quiet start to the game following the after-effects of illness Jerome came to the fore after the restart.

"Cameron has started in our reign brilliantly," McLeish said. "I was really pleased with the big fellow in the second half as well. He was struggling in the first half with a stomach complaint he has had for the last two days.

"I pointed out to him at half time he couldn't let his mates down by staying on and keep complaining about it. To be fair to him, in the second half he was really dangerous."