Birmingham City fans will be excited about what this season holds under Lee Bowyer, with the former player having done a brilliant job since taking over.

The 44-year-old inherited a Blues side earlier in the year that were battling relegation but his magnificent work ensured safety was secured with games to spare.

Despite that, Bowyer has wasted little time in looking to improve the squad this summer, with a host of new players arriving at St. Andrew's.

The boss recognises the importance of home-grown players in the Championship and there could be plenty of Englishman in the XI against Sheffield United on the opening day.

And, here we look at the best Blues XI of only Englishmen in the past 15 years...

It was a tough call between the keepers, with Joe Hart and Jack Butland both having strong claims to making this side but we've gone with Ben Foster, who trumps all others because he was in goal when Blues famously won the League Cup.

The current Watford stopper was outstanding as the side reached the final and even though the team would go on to be relegated, the fans recognise that Foster was an outstanding performer.

His career before and after his time with Birmingham showed the class Foster has and it's a shame for Blues that he couldn't spend longer at the club.

Upson just about falls into this category because he joined in January 2003 and stayed for just over four years.

However, he was a classy operator for Blues when he played, with the vast majority of his appearances coming when the club were playing in the Premier League and it was down to his displays that the side stayed there for so long.

Like Foster, the talent of the player was not in question, which is why he would go on to represent the national team, with several of his 21 caps coming whilst he was contracted to Birmingham.

Another cup winner, Dann unfortunately missed the big final at Wembley but his contribution to helping the team to get to that stage won't be forgotten by supporters.

The centre-back was outstanding during his time with Blues, starring alongside Roger Johnson as Alex McLeish's side secured a top ten finish in the 09/10 campaign.

He just gets the nod over his defensive partner in this XI because Dann's injury was a major reason in why Birmingham were relegated after their cup win. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't have easily stayed up if the defender remained fit.

To bring a bit of balance to the XI, we've picked the left-footed Ridgewell who was another key player in the 2011 cup winning team.

Curtis Davies is unfortunate to miss out but Ridgewell was a reliable performer for Blues and ended up playing over 150 times for the club. Having arrived from bitter rivals Aston Villa, the former West Brom man needed to perform well to win the fans over - which is exactly what he did.

Many of his games came at left-back, with Ridgewell part of the no-nonsense back four that came 9th in the Premier League, whilst he also starred in a promotion-winning campaign to go with the League Cup success. So, it's hard to leave him out!

In terms of raw talent, the local lad is one of the better players to come through Blues' academy in recent years.

Gray really broke through into the team for the 2014/15 season in what was a tough campaign for the club, with a change in manager and a mid-table finish meaning there was little to shout about.

However, Gray was a major positive. His dribbling ability, pace and direct style made him a huge hit with the support and he understandably caught the eye. Therefore, it was no surprise to see him secure a move to the Premier League.

We have to include the boss! Part of the attraction of Bowyer's appointment for the fans was that he was such a popular figure during his playing days.

Even though he arrived at St. Andrew's towards the end of his career, Bowyer would go on to become a key player and his aggressive nature made him a hit on the terraces.

After helping Blues to promotion during a loan spell, he signed a permanent deal and enjoyed two excellent years that included that top ten finish and the win over Arsenal at Wembley.

Muamba was another player who enjoyed highs and then endured lows with Birmingham, but even though he left after relegation, the midfielder will still be fondly remembered.

There was a lot of hype and excitement when he arrived as a youngster on loan from Arsenal in 2006, but Muamba backed it up. His powerful, confident displays in the middle of the park was crucial as Steve Bruce's side went up, with Muamba named as the Young Player of the Year.

Whilst the team went down next season, the former Bolton man did enhance his reputation with his performances in the middle of the park, which saw him secure another Premier League move.

In terms of natural ability and potential, Birmingham won't have any player to rival Bellingham.

The local lad is already on the way to becoming a global superstar, with his displays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Champions League meaning he is regarded as one of the most exciting young players on the planet.

Even though he only played less than 50 times for Blues, the fans loved the academy graduate, who still loves the club himself, with his mega-money sale going a long way to helping the club.

Fans understood why he had to go and they will watch his career closely as Bellingham looks to become a regular in the England midfield, something which seems inevitable.

Another hugely talented player to emerge from the academy, like Gray, Redmond shone in the Championship with Birmingham, impressing with his skill and ability to beat a player.

Those qualities, combined with the fact that he is a local lad, ensured he was a popular figure with fans and he is another who has gone on to have a good career as a Premier League regular.

Redmond managed nine goals in 82 appearances for Blues and was a major threat down either flank when he pulled on the royal blue shirt.

Jerome struggled for consistency at times with Birmingham but when you look at his contribution over the five years he had at St. Andrew's, you have to include the striker.

He was key in two promotions, scored 11 goals as McLeish's side finished 9th in the top-flight and was part of the squad that won the League Cup, so he certainly achieved a lot at the club.

With his pace and strength, Jerome was a great focal point for the team and he was a selfless worker when things weren't going well. He left Blues having scored 42 goals in just over 200 games.

In terms of ability and what he achieved in the game, you could put Emile Heskey in the team and he did have one excellent season with Blues.

However, when you look at who has been the best for Birmingham, you have to pick Jutkiewicz. The big man has been a regular since joining in 2016 and whilst he hasn't always been great, Jutkiewicz has come up with some massive moments for Blues in the Championship.

And, there's sure to be more to come. The striker has 55 goals for Blues so far but he was highly influential under Bowyer and will hope to add to that tally this season.