Blues debut an honour - Sammons; Work doesn't stop now - Sammons.

Byline: Colin Tattum

ASHLEY Sammons has vowed not to rest on his laurels after the "privilege" of making his Blues debut.

Sammons, 17, played the whole of Blues' Carling Cup defeat by Sunderland last night and did not look overawed, nor out of place.

Now the Academy graduate from Dorridge says he is determined to stay in the first-team mix.

Manager Alex McLeish has spoken about how Blues' youths have to earn their chance at senior level, and Sammons agreed.

"I fully understand him," he said.

"It's an absolute privilege and an absolute blessing to have been picked by him.

"When I was told I would be in the team the day before, I was walking off from training and I just had this massive grin on my face.

"There was a lot of emotion in there as well because it's what I've wanted to do all my life. It's the club I've wanted to play for all my life.

"So it's a blessing to play at the top level.

"I think he's got that completely right and I have had to earn it, but the work doesn't stop now, it has to keep going."

Sammons was thrown right into the heart of a much-changed Blues side. Barry Ferguson was a great help as his central midfield partner, he admitted.

"It was unbelievable as well, just being alongside someone who has played at the very top,'' said Sammons.

"He helped me through the whole day, right up until he went off the pitch and after when he came up and shook my hand and said I had done well.

"It was a great experience to be with him."

Sammons said it was not a problem trying to quickly forge an understanding with his team- mates, nor deal with the occasion. "I wouldn't say it was difficult. I've felt like I've been ready for a while,'' he said. "In that respect I was confident in my own ability and I was speaking to TomBates, my psychologist, and he just said it's within you to play. "I had that belief, I thought I held my own there and did quite well." Blueswent out of the competition with Sunderland's goals coming in the fourth and 22nd minutes.

"They put us under so much pressure. They scored early and you think, 'oh, here we go','' said Sammons. "As a team the spirit's not the highest after you concede like that and then another soon after. "But I think we tried to push on, tried to pass the ball. "Although we gave the ball sloppy from the back to the front, we could have done better." Sammons, who signed a professional contract last season, said his next step was clear. "I hope to stay in the squad, train with themweek in,week out and just try and do my best and keep improving."

CAPTION(S):

Under pressure: The Blues defence fight a desperate rearguard action as Sunderland launch another raid on the visitors' goal at the Stadium of Light.