Cole set for Birmingham exit
Steve Bruce admitted today he does not expect Andy Cole to be lining up for Birmingham in the Barclays Premiership next season.
Portsmouth striker Cole joined Blues on loan for the closing stages of their promotion campaign, helping them to promotion as runners-up to Sunderland and scoring an important goal in the 3-2 success at Wolves.
But Birmingham boss Bruce said today: “I would like to make it (the loan move) permanent. But I don't think we can afford him with a year left on his salary (at Portsmouth).
“But he’s made a big impact at a time when we were wobbling. To come off the bench with not much preparation is amazing – he’s done a fantastic job.”
Meanwhile, Bruce, a self-confessed Newcastle fan, was generous in his praise for Sunderland, who pipped his team for the Championship title today.
Birmingham led the table this morning but lost 1-0 at Preston, while Sunderland eased to a 5-0 success at relegated Luton.
Bruce was a team-mate of Sunderland manager Roy Keane at Manchester United and added on Sky Sports News: “He’s always been a natural leader of course – he’s got a big, big future in the game.
“Congratulations to Sunderland – to only lose one game this year is amazing.”
