I can be central to Bruce's plans - Danns

Oct 5 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

NEIL Danns has declared that he can cut it in the centre of the park as he heads back to his first club, Blackburn Rovers, on Sunday.

Manager Steve Bruce has brought him into the Blues fold again and Danns insisted he could provide more than just an attacking option.

"I had a conversation with the gaffer last season and he said he felt my best position was just behind a forward," said Danns, who has been used in that role in the last two reserve games to great effect.

"At Colchester United, I scored something like 30 goals in 75 games, starting just two of them off the striker like that. All the rest were in a 4-4-2.

"I understand where the gaffer's coming from, and if he wants to use me that way I have no problems because I just want to play."

He added: "I've been working hard on the defensive side of my game, checking back, energy and stuff. And someone like Fabrice Muamba, even though he's so young, you can learn from in the way he hunts people down and gets tackles in."

Danns has only started two games this season, both in the League Cup.

"I saw them as great opportunities," he said. "At Blackburn the other week I wanted to stand out amongst other good players.

"That team we put out would probably have got promotion in the Championship. That's the strength in depth we have, and it spurs you on to improve because the competition to be considered for the first team is so intense."