Traore keen on permanent Birmingham City switch

Apr 21 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

DJIMI Traore today admitted he would be interested in joining Blues this summer.

The Mali international finally made his debut as a substitute against Watford after signing on loan from Portsmouth in February.

Injury had hampered the ex-Liverpool Champions League winner’s availability, and the form and fitness of others also kept him out of the picture.

But Traore was sent on for the final five minutes for groin injury victim Franck Queudrue as Blues sought to close out such a vital game 1-0.

It was a baptism of fire but he responded to the task and on a couple of occasions made sound interceptions and headers to help repel Watford’s late assault.

“I was pleased to play, since I have been here it has been a bit of a nightmare for me,” said Traore, who tore his hamstring minutes into his first reserve appearance at Wast Hills shortly after his switch.

“I was injured for a few weeks and when I came back I then twisted my ankle during training. So I have missed a lot of first-team football.

“The manager said to me when Franck got injured to come on and just do the sort of job I have done in the past for Liverpool, bring my experience on to the pitch and I happy that he sent for me.”

Traore, whose will be a free agent in the summer, continued: “For me, I came here with a lot of ambition.

‘‘Of course I’ve been disappointed because I haven’t been able to play, and I’ve not given what I can to match the expectation of the people here.

“But I try to do my best in training to show the manager that I’m still ready to play in the Championship or the Premier League. It’s just that getting injured didn’t help me.

“I am only 29, I have a few years left in football and I came to Birmingham to do well.

“My contract ends in the summer, I am free then. So I will assess what opportunities I have.

“But, yes, Birmingham could be a good possibility.