John issues warning to Birmingham

LONDON: Trinidad and Tobago’s international striker Stern John has warned Birmingham City that he might leave this summer because he does not want to play second fiddle again next season. A report in the Evening Mail newspaper quoted John, who has been offered a one-year deal, as saying he is interested in staying at Birmingham but wants more playing time. “I’d like to stay at the club, but it depends on how many players the gaffer brings in,” said John, who had only seven starts (22 times coming off the bench) in the past season.

“I don’t want to be sitting on the bench all next season and be forgotten about.  It’s up to the gaffer, I want to see if I am in his plans. It wouldn’t make any sense for me to sign here and then he goes out and gets a couple of strikers,” John added. The 27-year-old John, whose equalizer at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday was his fourth goal of the season, could face an even greater struggle for playing time next season.  Birmingham acquired England international striker Emile Heskey from Liverpool this week for a club record 6.25 million pounds and manager Steve Bruce is hinting at more acquisitions, but John believes he is good enough to measure up. 

“I want to be part of it here as much as I can,” he said. “As long as I get a fair chance, I know I will do the business.  “I came back really fit in pre-season, played well and was top-scorer, but couldn’t get in the team.  “I think my goal on Saturday showed what I can do. I’m a natural goal scorer, once we get the ball in the box I know I’m capable of putting it away. All strikers thrive on great crosses and service, John said.