Birmingham City

Jackett keen for Painter to stay
Swansea boss Kenny Jackett wants Marcos Painter to stay when his one-month loan spell from Birmingham ends following Saturday's home game with Carlisle. But the left-back has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and must first prove he is fully fit. \"We're keen for Marcos to stay, but he's been injured after being a very good performer,\" Jackett said. \"First off we have to make sure he's fit, then we'll see what Birmingham say about extending his loan.\" Painter, who had been undergoing rehabilitaion work back at St Andrews, is in contention for a spot against Carlisle after training back with the Swans. Midfielder and captain Darren Pratley is available again after a one-match ban, while striker Adebayo Akinfenwa is expected to be fit despite injuring his knee during Thursday's training session. Central defender Izzy Iriekpen will have a fitness test on a hamstring injury on Friday, but midfielder Tom Butler is out with a hamstring injury. Better news is that left-back Tom Williams has resumed training with the rest of the squad after a hernia operation that has seen him miss the last six games. Swansea v Gillingham in League One has been rearranged for Tuesday, 23 January with a 1945 GMT kick-off. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, 6 January but has been postponed because the Swans will be away against Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round on that date.

Sheff Wed v Birmingham
Glenn Whelan's suspension could signal a return to Sheffield Wednesday's midfield for Yoann Folly. If defender John Hills fails to win his battle against a hamstring strain, Tommy Spurr will continue at left-back. Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson is poised to return six weeks after breaking his jaw. His comeback will compensate for the loss of midfielder Francis Muamba who serves a one-match ban after collecting a fifth booking.

Bruce confirms Dunn could leave
Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce has confirmed reports he may be prepared to sell injury-prone midfielder David Dunn in the January transfer window. Dunn, who moved to the Blues for £5.5m in 2003 from Blackburn, has been linked with a return to Ewood Park. However Bruce is adamant he wants a fair price for the 26-year-old. Bruce said: \"I am not going to be hijacked, mollycoddled or hoodwinked into anything that is just going to suit David Dunn.\" But the Blues boss concedes it may be time for the midfielder to move on. \"It has been deeply upsetting what has happened to David Dunn, both for him and us,\" Bruce added. \"He's had an horrific time of it the last two-and-a-half years with his injuries. \"So I have to consider do we make it a fresh start for him and cut our losses?\"

Southend 0-4 Birmingham
Birmingham overpowered struggling Southend to go five points clear at the top of the Championship table. DJ Campbell put Birmingham ahead after eight minutes, taking Gary McSheffrey's pass to score from 18 yards. Stephen Clemence doubled the lead seven minutes before half-time, shooting into the ground and over Darryl Flahavan. McSheffrey's free-kick made it three after 54 minutes and Radhi Jaidi's header rounded things off six minutes before the end. Southend manager Steve Tilson: \"If we had got a good start today then the tired minds and tired legs from our midweek Carling Cup quarter-final defeat might have gone away. \"But when you go down within five minutes then the tired legs and minds get worse. \"We got punished today. Yes we were tired but they are a good side.\" Birmingham manager Steve Tilson: \"We are on course and have a chance. Fifteen players have gone since last season and we have brought in a lot of younger players. \"It has been a huge turnaround, so we are delighted it has clicked and it can only get better. \"It was a potential banana skin coming here because we are top and they are bottom, so it was a good win.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southend: Flahavan, Hunt, Sodje, Clarke, Hammell, Campbell-Ryce (Harrold 61), McCormack (Francis 60), Maher, Gower, Eastwood (Hooper 60), Bradbury. Subs Not Used: Welch, Barrett. Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Upson, Sadler, Johnson, Nafti, Clemence (Muamba 82), McSheffrey (Danns 73), Campbell, Bendtner (Kilkenny 78). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Martin Taylor. Booked: Sadler, Bendtner. Goals: Campbell 8, Clemence 38, McSheffrey 54, Jaidi 84. Att: 9,781 Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).

Birmingham 2-1 QPR
Birmingham celebrated their 100th anniversary at St Andrews with a victory thanks to goals from Matthew Upson and Cameron Jerome. Upson rose highest to head Gary McSheffrey's pin-point cross beyond Royce to give the Blues the lead. Paul Furlong set up Lee Cook and the winger sent his shot arrowing into the top corner to draw the Hoops level. But Substitute Jerome despatched McSheffrey's pass into the bottom corner from 12 yards to seal the win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham assistant Eric Black: \"Eight points at this stage of stage of the season is a nice cushion but there are still a lot of games yet to be won and lost. \"We created enough chances to have won handsomely but failing to score that third goal always made it an anxious time. \"The determination and work-rate of the players was exceptional, while (Cameron) Jerome made a great contribution with his physical presence and pace. \"Now he has scored at home I think it will help his confidence and it will undoubtedly help his confidence.\" QPR boss John Gregory: \"I was a just a bit disappointed as we did enough in the game to have earned a point. \"But this is a tough place to come to as there is a tremendous amount of strength in their side. Everyone is on the front foot at Birmingham and everyone is very positive. \"I don't think we have too many complaints and Cook's goal was outstanding. But to be fair he doesn't score enough goals for a player of his talent.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Upson (Larsson 89), Sadler, Johnson, Nafti, Clemence, McSheffrey, Bendtner, Campbell (Jerome 59), Jerome (Muamba 90). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Danns. Booked: Bendtner. Goals: Upson 22, Jerome 62. QPR: Royce, Bignot, Mancienne, Rehman, Stewart, Milanese (Rowlands 75), Bircham (Bailey 59), Smith, Cook, Furlong, Blackstock (Ray Jones 81). Subs Not Used: Cole, Ward. Booked: Milanese. Goals: Cook 31. Att: 29,431. Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Birmingham 2-2 Luton
Substitute Neill Danns' stoppage-time goal salvaged a point for Championship leaders Birmingham against Luton. Birmingham took an undeserved lead just past the half-hour when in-form Gary McSheffrey fired in from close range. But on 44 minutes Rowan Vine, who had hit the post before McSheffrey's goal, equalised for Luton with a curling effort past goalkeeper Maik Taylor. With 13 minutes left Warren Feeney's low shot beat Taylor to put Luton ahead, but Danns had the last word. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham manager Steve Bruce: \"We've got away with it. We were below our best, but at least we got something out of a game.\" \"You have to give credit to Luton because they caused us a few problems. \"I don't want to look for excuses but it was a difficult pitch - that's going to be dug up in the next 10 days. A bit of Christmas fatigue also showed.\" Luton manager Mike Newell: \"To lose a goal at the death like that is pretty hard to swallow - it's sickening. \"We believe we have a good side and good players and we always go out and try and play good football. \"I don't think our character is in doubt. If we can get our players fit we can compete with anyone.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Upson, Sadler, Larsson (Kilkenny 84), Nafti (Danns 76), Muamba, McSheffrey, Bendtner, Jerome (Campbell 76). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Martin Taylor. Booked: Jaidi, Nafti. Goals: McSheffrey 31, Danns 90. Luton: Kiely, Foley, Heikkinen (Holmes 56), Coyne, Emanuel (Davis 52), Barnett, Edwards, Langley, Morgan, Vine, Feeney. Subs Not Used: Beresford, Boyd, O'Leary. Booked: Holmes, Vine. Goals: Vine 44, Feeney 77. Att: 24,642. Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

Upson hoping to leave Birmingham
Matthew Upson has again signalled his desire to leave Birmingham in January, saying he believes he no longer has a future at the club. The 27-year-old, who is out of contract in 18 months, has already been linked to Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle. Upson's agent Barry Neville said: \"Matt has made it quite clear that he sees his future elsewhere.\" Blues boss Steve Bruce is reluctant to release Upson and said it would take \"one hell of an offer\" to let him go. Birmingham are six points clear at the top of the Championship and Bruce sees Upson as integral to their push for promotion back to the Premiership. \"I have said to Matt if we are promoted, that we would want to build our team around him,\" said Bruce. \"Hopefully by the summer we can be in the Premier League and can make Matt an offer he can't refuse. \"We've got to be strong enough when the transfer window opens. \"Where can I go and get a left-sided England centre-back who is 27 of his quality? I don't think I can.\" Upson has refused to sign a new five-year deal at Birmingham and has already stated it would be in the club's best interests if they maximised his transfer fee by selling him, \"the sooner, the better\". The England international is rated at £7m and was linked with a move to Liverpool before he ruptured an Achilles tendon in April. He has now returned to fitness after a lengthy lay-off with pelvic and Achilles problems.

Give Bendtner a break says Bruce
Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce wants the club's fans to stop criticising young striker Nicklas Bendtner. The 18-year-old Dane is halfway through a season-long loan from Arsenal and Bruce believes his best is yet to come. \"Nicklas has had a bit of stick from the fans and I am going to appeal to them to stop that,\" Bruce told the Birmingham Post. \"If he had come out of our youth team, I don't think the reaction towards him would have happened.\"

Boss Bruce scoops monthly prize
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has been named the Championship manager of the month for December. Bruce's side were unbeaten during the month and won five of their six games and drew their other match. He said: "It's great to be at the top of the table, the dificult part now is to stay there." Geraint Williams of Colchester United, Brian Laws of Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom's Tony Mowbray were also nominated for the award.

Birmingham v Newcastle
Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome is struggling with an Achilles tendon injury, while Mikael Forssell has yet to recover from a knee problem. Mehdi Nafti sits out the game as he serves a one-match ban and Matty Upson could be rested. Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt could make the game after his ankle injury responded to treatment. Fellow midfielder Emre is struggling with a groin injury, while Scott Parker is suspended. Newcastle (from): Given, Srnicek, Solano, Edgar, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Butt, Emre, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll.

Birmingham complete Vine signing
Birmingham have won the race to sign Luton striker Rowan Vine. The Hatters say they have accepted a revised offer from Birmingham of £2.5m, rising to £3m if Steve Bruce's side are promoted to the Premiership. Birmingham's rivals West Brom were thought to be keen on the 24-year-old, who has scored 14 goals this season. But Vine, who has signed a three and a half year deal, said: "This was exactly the move I wanted - it's as close to the Premiership as could be." Birmingham manager Steve Bruce was keen to strengthen his forward line with Nicklas Bendtner and Cameron Jerome on the injury list. And Vine told the club's official website he did not need much persuading to join them. "I see it as a massive compliment that a team like Birmingham, who are top of the league, wanted to sign me," he said. "The team has done brilliantly to get where they are now. There's 20-odd games left this season and hopefully I can play a part in getting the club into the Premier League and play as many games as I can." Despite Luton's struggles, Vine has scored four goals in the last five games - including one against Birmingham in a 2-2 draw. And he paid tribute to his former club after passing a medical at St Andrew's. "They're a great bunch down there and Mike Newell is a good manager. I had two and a half brilliant years at Luton and I made a lot of friends, but the pros of leaving really outweight the cons. "Hopefully, for me, it's about being able to achieve what I want to do, which is play at the top level. IT's a massive opportunity for me," he added.

Bruce eyes permanent Muamba deal
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is chasing a permanent move for midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who is on loan from Arsenal. But he concedes a January deal for the England under-19 captain, who has made 23 Blues appearances, is unlikely. "We are delighted with his contribution and I know Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants him to get a football education here," Bruce said of the 18-year-old. "If they wanted to make him available we'd listen but I think January is too early to discuss a permanent move." Muamba, who was born in DR Congo, is a strong holding midfielder and has long been dubbed the 'new Patrick Vieira' in Arsenal circles. And his performances in helping Birmingham move to the top of the Championship have also attracted reported interest from Fulham, Middlesbrough and Everton. Muamba is on loan at St Andrews along with fellow Gunners Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Larsson and Bruce has expressed an interest in signing the trio. He has repeatedly said he would relish securing Danish striker Bendtner on a long-term deal and is close to agreeing the transfer of midfielder Larsson.

Blues snub Hammers bid for Upson
Birmingham have turned down a £4m bid from West Ham for Matthew Upson. The central defender, 27, has been watched by several Premiership clubs after a series of impressive displays for the Championship leaders. He was again outstanding as the Blues thrashed Newcastle 5-1 in their FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday. Upson rejected a new five-year contract last season and has said he would like to leave before his current deal expires at the end of next season. But Blues boss Steve Bruce has insisted he is under no pressure to sell any of his key players during the January transfer window. He is keen to hold on to the former Arsenal player as his team look to bounce back into the top flight after last season's relegation. Upson made his comeback at the end of November after seven months out with an Achilles problem and his return to action coincided with a tremendous run of form for Birmingham. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has already signed Tottenham central defender Calum Davenport. He has also been linked with Blackburn full-back Lucas Neill as he tries to lift his struggling side away from the relegation zone.

Oji extends Bristol Rovers loan
Bristol Rovers have extended the loan spell of Birmingham defender Sam Oji for a further month. The 21-year-old has made three appearances for the Pirates since moving to the club in February. Rovers boss Paul Trollope told the club's official website: "For a young lad, he talks and organises well and we are very pleased to have him here. "Sam has been a welcome addition to the squad and we are delighted to have him with us for another month." Oji, was on Arsenal's books before joining Birmingham at the age of 18, but has made just one first-team appearance for the Blues.

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