Source: Daily_Mail
Ben Foster happy at Birmingham City
ShareSurvival bid: Ben Foster's Birmingham face Wolves on Sunday[LNB]Birmingham City's player of the year Ben Foster insists he wants to stay at the club, despite the threat of relegation.[LNB]The Carling Cup winners could be relegated from the Barclays Premier League this weekend if they are overhauled by either Wigan or Blackpool in the final round of matches.[LNB]Foster was voted player of the year by both his fellow players and Blues fans at City's awards ceremony at the NIA on Monday night.[LNB]When asked if he would be prepared to play in the npower Championship, Foster said: 'I want to stay at Birmingham City.[LNB]'I've loved this season. It's been a great season for me personally.[LNB]'I know we're in a bit of a fight at the moment and we've got a massive match on Sunday.[LNB]'But no-one is thinking of being in the Championship next season and we need to get three points on Sunday (at Tottenham).'[LNB]Foster knows how crucial top-flight survival is to City who are only above the bottom three on goal difference.[LNB] He said: 'If you asked the fans which they would rather have, the Carling Cup after so long without a trophy or the Premier League, they'd probably be split.[LNB] Player of the year: Foster won the fans' and player's awards[LNB]'But staying in the Premier League is so important to every team that's here at the minute.[LNB]'Everybody knows that the financial things that come along with the Premier League are so huge.[LNB]'To retain our Premier League status is so important not just for us but also the people behind the scenes.'[LNB]Foster revealed he has delayed surgery on his thumb to play the final six months of the campaign.[LNB] He has also suffered from a back problem and insists concerns over his physical condition are the only reason he is taking a break from England duty.[LNB] Playing through the pain: Foster has delayed thumb surgery[LNB]He said: 'I've had a lot of niggling injuries in the second half of the season including a bad back and I've injured a thumb which has needed operating on for about six weeks.[LNB]'I've managed to get through it with a pain-killing injection.[LNB]'I love playing for England and making my debut was the proudest moment of my career.[LNB]'But in order for me to turn out on a Saturday afternoon for Birmingham, it is important I get the chance to rest my body.'[LNB]Midfielder Jordon Mutch, who had a successful loan spell at Watford, was voted City's young player of the year.[LNB] Survival Sunday: How do the five top flight clubs in danger shape up? Birmingham close in on deal for Egyptian playmaker ShikabalaShow them what we're made of! Phillips issues rallying call to relegation-threatened BirminghamAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Ben Foster Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom
