Lloyd James thinks that Saints have every chance of a result on Tuesday evening against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup.

The versatile full back is looking forward to the game against the Premier League side who he feels showed much of their top flight credential in the Championship last season.

"It's always good to play against a Premiership team and Birmingham are a big, strong outfit," James commented. "They are well organised and they showed that last year which is why they won promotion.

"They are going to be one of the best sides that we play this season, so it's going to be a test but it's also a chance to express ourselves and show how good we really are."

The Welshman added that Saints will benefit from game regardless of the level of opposition that Alex McLeish sends out from his squad.

"You always want to win a game so whatever team they put out will want to do that and it will be a test for us.

"It's also a chance to keep your place in the team if you play well and if you do that then you'll be in with a shout of playing on Saturday.

"We feel that it is important because we want to start winning games, we want that winning feeling and mentality back because it would be great for us. When you win games it creates a buzz around the place and it helps your preparation for games too."

The 21 year-old played much of last season at right back but despite losing his place there, he feels that he can only improve his game with the addition of Graeme Murty to the squad.

"I've learnt a lot about playing there in the last year but with Graeme Murty coming in, he's an experienced pro who knows the game and there's a lot more to learn.

"I can play off him. The way he reads the game and opens himself out to try to play the ball so he's a very good pro to learn from.

"I think he can only help me to develop as a player and I think that if I don't play as well as I should do then I'm not going to keep my place, so I've just got to keep pushing him hard. I'm still learning the game, it's going well at the minute and I hope I can play a part in helping the team.

"I was fortunate through injury to start the first game of the season but to play is just delightful because I want to keep putting on the shirt, playing in games and hopefully getting a few more wins."

James is actually yet to miss a game so far this season, and has slotted back into the right back role during Murty's absence from the side. He believes that the team are close to where they want to be following Saturday's home draw with Brentford.

"We played good football and got a good goal but unfortunately we conceded late in the game, however, there were definitely positives to take from the game that we can take into Tuesday's game and for the weekend.

"The training ground is the place to get it right and I think we showed on Saturday that the whole team could play well.

"It's all a step in the right direction at the moment, Alan Pardew has helped me as a player a lot and it's good to work with him.

"Personally I just look forward to playing football regularly and hopefully getting some results to show the fans that we are as good as we say we are."