West Brom ace Craig Gardner has been there

West Brom midfielder Craig Gardner does not need telling about the magic of the League Cup.

It might have been three-and-a-half years ago but the memories of Birmingham City's triumph in the competition, in which the 27-year-old played a key part, are still fresh in his mind.

The highlight of his career so far? Unquestionably.

In an age when Premier League survival is so often prioritised over winning trophies, Gardner is one who knows it is medals he will look back on with most joy when his career is done.

It is an outlook shared, he claims, by the rest of the Baggies dressing room. "It is a dream come true, lifting the cup," he says.

"How many players can say they have got medals in their career? Not many, it is a great experience.

"I don't need to tell the lads that, they will know."

Yet no matter the sponsors – Capital One being the latest – there is no disguising the League Cup is frequently disregarded by top tier clubs for whom it represents, along with the FA Cup, one of their two realistic chances of silverware.

Head coach Alan Irvine is likely to ring the changes for tonight's clash with Bournemouth.

But Gardner, who has also felt the pain of losing a final as a second-half substitute for Sunderland in their final defeat to Manchester City last year, believes the squad is strong enough to win no matter which 11 players start the game.

He said: "I think some clubs dismiss the competition because maybe they have a big squad and it is a chance to give other players a game.

"But they dismiss it until it gets serious, when it gets serious they want to win it. We have a great squad of players and whatever team plays it is a strong first team."

He went on: "It is a great competition to be involved in. You get on a good run it gives you momentum and confidence and self-belief."

Gardner's cup-winning season ended in despair as Blues were relegated and he moved to Sunderland, where he spent three seasons before moving to Albion last summer.

He believes the Baggies are more than capable of challenging for the cups without having to worry about their league status.

"Winning the cup was one of the highs of my career but getting relegated with Birmingham was one of the lows," he added.

"West Brom are a well established Premier League team, which is why I have come here. We are going to have a great season, we have the players."

Victory tonight would send Albion into the last eight, just two rounds and three games away from a potential Wembley date.

Yet their task is far from straightforward. Bournemouth are just two points off the top of the Championship.

And anyone in doubt over the challenge Eddie Howe's side pose only need look at their latest result – an 8-0 hammering of Gardner's former side Blues.

"We don't take anyone for granted," added Gardner. "They have a great manager who likes to play football. I can see it being a good game."