When it was revealed that Lee Carsley would be returning to the club, it raised the question about the future of fellow midfielder Sammy Clingan.
Carsley has developed his career as a defensive midfielder and he likes to play deep at the back of the midfield, just in front of a back four.
However, Boothroyd thinks Carsley gives him a very positive option and revealed, " What it does is gives me the opportunity to play three in there."
" I have been really impressed with Aron Gunnarsson and Sammy, and Michael Doyle is very much in the picture as well. We have got some good young players coming through and I want to have a look at young Connor Thomas at Walsall as well."
Carsley rejoined Coventry City on a one year deal eight years after leaving the club to join Everton and was immediately made club captain. He moved from Everton to Birmingham City but missed much of last season because of injury and still lives locally, in Balsall Common.
At 36 years old, the signing of Carsley raised a few eyebrows as it goes very much against the recent philosophy of recruiting young talent from the lower leagues, Not only is Carsley much older than the usual recent recruits to the Sky Blue cause, he is close to the end of his career.
Carsley's age does not worry Boothroyd, nor does his fitness, he commented,"He's in great shape. He passed his medical with no problems, has done all the fitness tests and I'm certainly not ageist, as shown by the fact that Steve Ogrizovic is still here!"