Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer insists his move to St Andrew’s from West Ham was no gamble ahead of his first game against his former employers.

The one-cap England international left Upton Park at the start of this year to join up with Alex McLeish’s men on loan, with the club then in the Championship, before making the move permanent upon his release from the Hammers in the summer.

Bowyer was one the driving forces behind Blues’ promotion and his influence has continued into this campaign, with the team eight points clear of the relegation places going into play at St Andrew’s tomorrow.

The move has worked out well, and the 32-year-old reckons he had no doubt it would be any different.

He said: “Was it a gamble leaving West Ham, dropping down a league? I wouldn’t say I took a gamble. Birmingham were a good side who were unlucky to go down from the Premier League the season before.

“From my point of view, all I wanted to do was get back playing. You’ve got to grab the chance to do that with both hands and play as much as you possibly can – because one day it will stop.

“I don’t why but, for one reason or other, West Ham didn’t want to extend my contract so I came to Birmingham and it has turned out to be a good thing for all parties.

“Yes, some would have been happy to stay and pick up their money, especially with me being from London and that being where I live but I just want to play football.

“That’s the main thing. I’m back playing and enjoying my football, waking up on a Sunday after a win and feeling happy.”