The right-back has been one of the main plus points in a disappointing start to the campaign for Bruce’s side who visit Blackburn for a vital Barclays Premiership bottom of the table clash tomorrow.

He has started to venture forward with increasing confidence and, at times, has linked up well with his former Chelsea tea-mate Jesper Gronkjaer although he has struggled to make the same impact as Melchiot.

Bruce told the Press Association: “Melchiot has been outstanding all season. We have been having vibes from the Dutch FA that he was going to be called into the Dutch squad.

“He has been on the fringes but they had been monitoring him for the last few weeks very closely and I was delighted when he got the call. He deserved it. I’ve been delighted with him for us. He has been very good.

“Mario has been a great acquisition. He never misses a training session, he has played every game and played to a consistent level.”

Bruce knows it can be difficult for a player to make the switch from one of the Premiership big guns to a club like Birmingham but Melchiot has made the move effortlessly.

He said: “It’s a big thing you face when you come from a club like Chelsea where you have been pushing for trophies, have more possession of the ball and are playing week in and week out with big, big players.

“It is always difficult to come to a club like ourselves but Mario has adapted very well. He has fitted in very quickly. We have had no doubts about his ability but it is difficult to move from any big club into our environment and he has done it successfully.”

Melchiot certainly cannot be accused of lacking in self confidence when assessing his start to the season.

He said: “I always have confidence and I know people have been expecting a lot from me as I came from Chelsea, and that adds to the pressure.

“But I am always very confident and that is the way I play. I have always had self belief and I need that.

“That is the right mentality to have and, while you have to pay your opponent respect, you have to believe that you can come out on top.”

Birmingham midfielder Muzzy Izzet will have to miss the match at Ewood Park through suspension after his sending-off against Everton last weekend for handling on the line.

It is not what Izzet wanted after having only just returned to action following a five-week lay-off because of a knee injury suffered against Newcastle.

But, despite Blues’ current predicament, he is confident their fortunes will change as they gear up for two crunch games – with another struggling team, Norwich, visiting St Andrews next weekend.

Izzet said: “I’ve looked at our team and the way we’ve been playing and we should have won games. Only in the last third have we been disappointing.

“We’re a good team and we’ve played some good stuff, especially against the big teams like Newcastle, Man United and Chelsea and we still feel there’s a lot more to come.

“We’ve played teams and no-one’s wiped the floor with us. We’ve dominated and not won although sometimes that’s not a good sign.

“Maybe getting an early goal would help. You’re playing a bit under pressure and an early goal would relax us. Once that goes in, that gives you the confidence you need.”