Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

Blues handed striker ultimatum

20 Nov 2006 - 12:20:49

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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has admitted he would only contemplate joining Birmingham City on a permanent basis if they win promotion to the Premiership this season.

The 18-year-old Denmark international, who is on a season-long loan at St Andrew's, has fired in seven goals for the Blues in 20 games so far and impressed everyone at the Championship club.

However, Bendtner has stressed that he sees himself as a Premiership player in the long term and will return to the Emirates Stadium next summer.

Blues co-owner David Sullivan says he would love to keep the player, along with his on-loan Arsenal colleagues Sebastian Larsson and Fabrice Muamba, on a permanent basis, but Bendtner will only entertain that possibility if City are promoted.

He told the Daily Star: "The plan is to go back to Arsenal.

"The only chance of me staying on here is if the club get promoted to the Premiership.

"My contract at Arsenal has two more years so I'm not thinking about staying at Birmingham after this season. I always aim high. Championship football is okay but I want more.

"There are obviously many good strikers at Arsenal but I'm confident I can break into that team. I'm sure if I get my chance, I'll take it."