Academy manager Terry Westley, who took charge of the reserve team for the majority of last season.

Blues can now confirm five pre-season reserve team fixtures against Midlands non-league clubs.

A Birmingham City X1 will play Rushall Olympic (Wednesday July 23), Forest Green Rovers (Sunday July 27), Solihull Moors (Wednesday July 30), Kettering Town (Sunday August 3) and Bromsgrove Rovers (Wednesday August 6).

Kettering are managed by former Blues midfielder Mark Cooper, who last season led them to promotion to the Blues Square Premier, the top division of non-league football, after amassing an impressive tally of 97 points in Blue Square North.

Forest Green also play in the non-league top flight while Solihull Moors are a step down in Blue Square North and Rushall and Bromsgrove will next season play in the British Gas Business Midland League (level 4).

The club will confirm the pre-season fixture list for the first team in due course ahead of the Championship season which will start on Saturday August 9.

The 2008/09 Championship fixtures will be released on Monday June 16.