Birmingham City have had a disappointing season.

Under Gary Rowett, the Blues were well positioned to launch a play-off challenge and were just one place outside the top six when he was controversially sacked, much to the fans' dismay.

His replacement was Gianfranco Zola, who was always unpopular with the fans from the start because they felt that Rowett was unjustly dismissed.

However, the Italian has done nothing to help himself and has overseen a disastrous spell as manager.

Suddenly, Birmingham have been transformed from promotion candidates to relegation candidates.

Zola's first job will be to ensure the Blues stay up this season and if he is given the reins next term, he will start looking to shape his squad.

Once Birmingham's safety is confirmed, Zola might experiment with a few youngsters and give them first team chances.

Here are 2 Birmingham starlets who need to be handed an opportunity to shine in the first team.

Jack Storer

If this young man can sort out his temperament, he could become a top player for the Blues.

After joining from Stevenage, the teenage striker caught the eye in pre-season when he netted seven goals and he was subsequently handed his chance in the first team by Rowett at the start of the year.

However, after he received a red card for violent conduct, he was loaned out to Yeovil in January.

After one game, Storer returned for "personal reasons" but the talented 19-year-old clearly has bags of talent and he should be given another chance by Zola.

Dan Cleary

Birmingham swooped to sign Dan Cleary in the summer after he left Liverpool.

The young centre half is yet to make his senior bow but he has a bright future ahead of him after impressing for the Birmingham youth sides this season.

The 21-year-old is only on a one year deal but with an option of a further year so Zola should hand him some opportunities (especially amid a centre back crisis) to show why he deserves a new deal.