Johnson unfazed by Blues' big test
Birmingham defender Roger Johnson hopes his trip to the 'Theatre of Dreams' does not turn into a nightmare when he makes his debut in the season opener at Manchester United.
Blues' baptism of fire begins as they face the reigning champions at Old Trafford on Sunday (1:30pm), their first game back in the Premier League after promotion last season.
And manager Alex McLeish is down to the bare bones for the trip, with six players out ahead of the big kick-off.
Midfielder Lee Bowyer is suspended - with new signing Barry Ferguson set to slot straight into his place - but it is at the back where the big problems lie.
Liam Ridgewell, Martin Taylor, Scott Dann, Giovanny Espinoza and David Murphy will all miss the game, so Johnson and Gregory Vignal will be pitched straight in for their first competitive starts.
But, despite the odds, Johnson cannot wait to play in the Premier League for the first time.
He said: "Old Trafford is called 'The Theatre of Dreams' and it is a dream for me to be playing there.
"Obviously it could have been a bit easier with our first game in the Premier League, both as a side and for me personally, but it's got to come round at some time so why not in the first game?
"It's good to test yourself and I'm looking forward to it."
