Sone Aluko has described this season as the "biggest of my career" as he looks to make an impression on Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.The 19-year-old forward, who spent last term making a name for himself on loan at Aberdeen, has returned to St Andrew's fully focused on establishing himself in the Championship and forcing himself into McLeish's plans.

"I need to be challenging to get into the Blues side now, this is probably the biggest season of my career so far coming up. I'm in the last year of my deal too," Aluko told the Birmingham Evening Mail.

"I'm confident I can force my way into the manager's plans. Given a chance, I'm sure sure I can add something to the team. In the Championship you play a lot of games and they come quickly. I think he's going to have to use the squad more and I'm determined to be in it."

However, Aluko's pre-season progress at Birmingham will be made all the more difficult as he prepares for England's Under-19 Championship in the Czech Republic.

"I've only got a few days with Blues before flying out with England to prepare for the tournament, and if we go all the way to the final (July 26) it means there will only be two pre-season friendlies left before the season starts," he added. "It's not ideal and I suppose it doesn't help my cause too much, but playing for England is massive, a great honour."

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