While Birmingham added a veritable array of new signings during the transfer window there was one player who crept in through the back door virtually unnoticed.

Artur Krysiak arrived as a typically surreptitious last-minute signing by the club from UKS SMS Lodz.

Birmingham and late deals are comfortable bedfellows but after the arrival of Nicklas Bendtner, Cameron Jerome and Gary McSheffrey, this caused barely a ripple of interest among supporters.

Nevertheless, the 17-year-old goalkeeper from Poland has already caused a stir on the training ground with both his physique and performance levels.

International clearance ensured that he has only just made his inaugural appearance for the club, albeit at Under-18 level, yet Academy Director Terry Westley is convinced he will be making waves in the very near future.

"Artur has a lot of work to do and he is not ready yet but I think he is what we're after - he has that Premiership mentality and quality," said Westley.

"He is a very positive, hard-working boy who is showing all the attributes of being a top keeper and that is why we signed him.

"He has only just turned 17 but he already looks like a man. He's a strong character and he really stands out as a massive presence in goal."

Another teenage starlet cutting his teeth in impressive fashion at St Andrew's is Fabrice Muamba.

The England Under-19 international, who is playing for his country in Austria, has made his mark thus far with a series of uncompromising performances in central midfield.

His four Championship starts have coincided with two wins and two draws forming a strong barrier with Mehdi Nafti.

While Muamba is at one of the biggest clubs in the country in Arsenal, he is under no illusions as to his role within the team.

"I am a ball-winner, that's my main job, and I do try to keep the team going," he said.

"When I have the ball I try to move it on quickly and pass it simply.

"That is what the manager asks me to do, to play my normal game.

"If I can help the team by doing that kind of job, which I believe I can, then I will be happy.

"The longer we play together, you can see us changing and getting better. We look stronger, more powerful and more as a team.

"And we will improve more as the season goes on, I'm sure of it."

Meanwhile Coventry City goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh has left the Ricoh Arena to take on a similar role at Aston Villa.

McDonagh arrived at Coventry in summer of 2004 with Peter Reid and will link up with Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.