Craig Gardner says that the Blues players are relishing the opportunity of playing Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday.

The winning of Saturday's fifth round tie will progress through to the last eight  of this season's FA Cup sponsored by E.ON .

Although Alex McLeish's team are the favourites against the Championship side, according to Gardner there will certainly be no complacency from Blues.

"It's a massive opportunity," Gardner told the Birmingham Mail.

"There's a chance to get into the quarter-finals and then Wembley's before you, with the semi-finals played there now as well.

"Derby will be thinking the same but the lads can't wait to get out there.

"It's a huge game and if we win it, and get a decent draw, we could push on.

"But obviously it's about how we play on Saturday and beating Derby.

"They are at home, they've been playing well recently and I'd imagine the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable.

"We're taking a lot and with me being a Blues fan I know how big the game is and what it means to the supporters.

"It's all about all those supporters coming down from Birmingham, I know what they want and need - and it's the same as the players.

"They expect us to go through and we will be trying our hardest to do that."