Midfielder up for physical side

Lee Carsley says Blues will need to match up to the physical demands of the Championship as he prepares for next season.

The new campaign will be 34-year-old Carsley's first taste of life outside the Premier League since 2001 and he has told his new team-mates they must be ready for what lies in store for a side predicted by many to be favourites for the title.

He said: "We saw this season how competitive it is, with so many of the teams in with a chance of automatic promotion and the play-offs. If you think it is a division of total soccer that you can play your way out of, then you're going to find it very, very tough.

"That's not to say you can't play football, West Brom have shown that. But every team seems to be big, strong and hungry. You have to be able to match the physicality as well - it's more physical than the Premier League."