Birmingham City striker Marcus Bent accepts he will have to fight for a first team place at St Andrews.

The summer signing from Charlton will be competing up front with James McFadden, Kevin Phillips, Cameron Jerome and Garry O’Connor.

He said: “Competition’s a good thing, keeps you on your toes, keeps you wanting it more. So if you do get yourself in the team then you’d better keep yourself in there.”

Bent had several options in leaving the Valley this summer but a mooted move to Wigan never materialised. He also turned down the chance to join Cardiff.

He said: “I was promised a contract at Wigan – unfortunately it didn’t evolve. I haven’t spoken to Steve Bruce since then. So I decided to come to Birmingham because of the squad they’ve got.

“Birmingham are a team that’s just come down. They’ve got a lot of ability and a mixture of young and mature.

“I’m sure, with the squad we’ve got, we’re going straight back up.”

The 30-year-old is pleased to be reunited with his former Everton team-mates James McFadden and Lee Carsley. He is also particularly eager for McFadden to stay on at St Andrew’s.

He said: “James is a big part of the team. He has got great ability and he is a good striker.”