Diop vows to carry on playing

Papa Bouba Diop is hoping he can continue to play for Birmingham "forever" after forcing his way into the starting XI.

The 34-year-old midfielder made his first league start in almost 11 months in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, marking his return to first-team football with an 82nd-minute equaliser.

The former Senegal international will see his short-term contract expire at the end of this month, but he is hoping to secure a permanent stay at St Andrew's.

He told BBC West Midlands: "I am here forever. I'm here and I won't go anywhere.

"I'm very hungry. You see the players play every week from the bench. So in training I worked hard waiting for my chance.

"And now I'll keep going, this is only my first game. This is my time, and I'll continue like this."