Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie is confident Lee Bowyer can make a big impact at St. Andrew's following his appointment as Birmingham City manager.

Bowyer, who has left League 1 side Charlton Athletic to join Birmingham, replaces Aitor Karanka and takes over a club currently flirting with relegation.

Last season, Bowyer and the south London club found themselves in a similar situation to Birmingham, eventually seeing relegation from the Championship after finishing in 22nd place.

Nevertheless, Hendrie, who enjoyed a successful career at the Blues' fierce rivals Aston Villa, believes the Bowyer appointment is a good one. He told FFC:

"I spoke to him yesterday just to wish him all the best. And, you know, he's got a big job on his hands, he really has. The league table speaks for itself, really, they've got to depend on other results at the moment, but, you know, Lee's a very good manager, his style, and he was always like that as a player, he demands a lot."

Hendrie later added: "I think he'll make a big impact. I think his style... he'll be honest with players and he'll want the best and I think he'll get the best out of the players. So I feel it's a great appointment."

Losing their last two games under Karanka and firmly in a relegation battle, the exit of the former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough boss does not come as a surprise.

As for the appointment of Bowyer, it is one supporters should be able to get behind. The 44-year-old was, of course, previously on Birmingham's books as a player, being a part of that famous Blues side that defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the 2010/11 League Cup final at Wembley.

Bowyer also did a very good job at Charlton despite their relegation from the Championship last term, helping them get to English football's second division to begin with.