Liam Ridgewell carved out a reputation for dramatic late goals of significance for Birmingham City.

And now the defender has his heart set on scoring even more this season.

Ridgewell netted four times in 2009-10, and got off the mark on the opening day at Sunderland this term.

“I hope to get a lot more goals that I did last season and the new left-back position can help me do that a little bit more than at centre-half,” Ridgewell said.

“Playing at left-back, you can get in the box from normal play instead of just free-kicks and corners. Hopefully that can continue to get me a few more goals.”

Ridgewell began his career at centre-half but his transformation to the full-back berth has been a huge success.

Because of the form of Scott Dann and Roger Johnson, it was where he slotted in last season as Gregory Vignal and David Murphy were waylaid by injury.

And he has all but made the position his own, manager Alex McLeish has said.

Ridgewell admitted that he preferred being in the thick of it in the heart of the defence.

“I’m starting to feel like a proper left-back,” he said.

“The gaffer came up to me the other day and said ‘You’re looking really good in that position, and you’re trying to make it your own’.

“I’m enjoying it, but I still see myself as a centre-half. As long as we’re doing well and we’re playing well and winning, then all is good.

“My mentality changed straight away at left-back. As soon as you start playing in a new position there’s different things that you need to look for.

“You’ve got to change your game and try and get forward. You’re not doing as many tackles or headers.

“You’ve just got to try and think about your game differently, but it’s another string to my bow and will hopefully make people take note.”

Ridgewell has made no secret of his desire to step up and represent England.

And why not? He has taken note of other Premier League players who have worn the Three Lions.

“I’ve studied players like Joleon Lescott. I’ve looked at the games where he’s played at left-back and centre-half, to see what he does.

“He got himself in the England squad for doing what he’s done at centre-half and left-back, then got himself a move to Manchester City. So he’s the best person for me to look at.”