Harry Redknapp was appointed permanent manager down at Birmingham City after his heroics at the end of last season, and the majority of the Blues contingent are feeling good ahead of the new campaign.

After a torrid spell under former boss Gianfranco Zola last time out, Birmingham just about did enough to stay in the division thanks to last-gasp wins over Huddersfield Town and Bristol City under Redknapp, who worked wonders in such a short space of time.

And now with the former Spurs boss at the helm full-time, things are beginning to look forward instead of back and we’ve got our eye on one player in particular as the season edges ever-closer.

The person in question, young left-back Cheick Keita, who was one of Gianfranco Zola’s January signings.

The French left-back was brought in from the Serie B and widely shone in what was his first taste of English football.

He had huge boots to fill in the Birmingham back-four and with injuries blighting the Birmingham team during Zola’s reign, he probably played more than he might’ve expected when he first signed on the dotted line.

And he showed, during glimpses that he’s a player with some serious promise in his locker.

Skilful, quick and with a real ability to read the game, Keita looks every little bit like a full-back that could, with the right development, be a real star.

The jury still remains out on whether he’s a proper full-back just yet, with many Blues fans suggesting that he may be more of a left-winger than a defender thanks to his attacking qualities.

But with more game-time under Redknapp and continued guidance, there’s absolutely no reason why the Frenchman shouldn’t be a star player sooner rather than later.

Birmingham will of course worry that potential suitors will come knocking but if Keita can build on what we saw last season, that might come quicker than expected.

Blues fans - are you excited about the development of Keita? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!