Birmingham City head coach Pep Clotet has praised Blues goalkeeper Lee Camp, after he made his return to the side against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Camp started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper at Birmingham and kept four clean sheets in 16 Championship appearances for the Blues.

However, after some questionable performances that saw him criticised by Birmingham supporters, he lost his place in the starting line-up, with Clotet deciding to give Connal Trueman an opportunity.

Camp, therefore, has been an unused substitute for Birmingham for the last ten Championship matches, but he was given a rare chance to impress against Blackburn in the FA Cup last weekend.

The 35-year-old put in a good performance in a 2-1 win for the Blues, but he's likely to return to the bench this weekend, when Birmingham return to Championship action against the division's bottom club Luton Town.

Speaking to the club's media his pre-match press conference ahead of the game at Kenilworth Road, Clotet explained his decision to start Camp against Blackburn and praised the veteran goalkeeper for his attitude and professionalism.

Clotet said: "It was important to give Lee Camp the game because he has been doing his job fantastically, and supported Connal and the rest of the lads during this period.

"He has been a great professional. Lee's experience was appreciated by all the players."

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The Verdict

As an experienced goalkeeper, I'm sure it would have been very difficult for Camp to take when he was dropped from the starting XI, but he seems to have handled the situation really well.

The likes of Trueman and the other young goalkeepers at Birmingham will be able to learn a great deal from his experience, attitude and professionalism.

He produced a decent display against Blackburn in the FA Cup at the weekend and even though it's unlikely that he will keep his place in the side against Luton at the weekend, he's got to try and build on that performance.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.