John forced to ponder future

LONDON: Trinidad and Tobago International Stern John is being forced to ponder his next move after his English Premiership club Birmingham City confirmed yesterday that they had agreed on a transfer fee with Coventry City and Nottingham Forest. With this move from the club indicating that John’s services are no longer needed, Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce, has said that John now needs to decide where he wants to go. “We’ve agreed on a fee with a couple of clubs, Coventry and Forest,” Bruce said on the club’s website. “Unfortunately Stern has only just come back from his country’s Mexico (match) today (Friday), so I haven’t had the chance to speak to him personally.” He added: “We have left it up to the lad and I’ll give him the weekend to make sure he picks the one that is best for him.”

John, who scored in Trinidad and Tobago’s loss to Mexico in Port-of-Spain on Thursday, has not been named in the Birmingham City squad which travels to Middlesborough today. There has been much speculation over John’s future at the Blues ever since Birmingham City completed their ?250,000 signing of fellow Trinidadian, Dwight Yorke two weeks ago. John, who signed a new one-year deal during the summer, fell down the pecking order at the Midlands club especially with the host of summer signings that included England’s Emile Heskey and Chelsea’s Mikael Forssell. “The hardest part when you get to this level is keeping everyone happy,” Bruce said.

“Obviously you are going to get a few disgruntled players. I think Stern accepted being one of the four strikers but with the addition of Dwight, his chances are going to be limited.” Bruce continued: “I know he wants to play football. He is great player and I know he will do a good job for someone.” Bruce paid tribute to the 27-year old striker who played an integral role in getting the club promoted to the Premiership. “I am going to go with four strikers but, if I am to be truthful, Stern is probably my favourite,” Bruce admitted. “He has done fantastically well for us and he got us where we are now with eight goals in 15 matches when he first arrived. He has done more than most, that’s for sure and it’s a big wrench that he will be leaving.” (CMC)