Gold 'hugely optimistic' of Premiership return

David Gold is “hugely optimistic” Birmingham can regain their Premiership status at the first attempt.

The Blues chairman has been “mightily impressed” with the hunger and desire evident in manager Steve Bruce’s reshaped squad.

Bruce has offloaded big-name players such as Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant but made seven new signings, with Bolton defender Radhi Jaidi the latest addition.

The Tunisian international is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s Coca-Cola Championship opener with Colchester subject to obtaining international clearance.

Gold is confident of City returning to the top flight but warned not to expect an easy ride as many clubs will regard meeting Birmingham “as their cup final”.

He said: “There was the pain of relegation from the Premiership but this is a new challenge and I am excited about our new team.

“We suffered relegation before a decade ago to the old Third Division and on that occasion I had no doubt we would come straight back up because Birmingham was the all-powerful club in that division.

“The Championship will be a tough league but I am hugely optimistic. I have been impressed with the energy, the youthfulness and the hunger amongst the players. They are prepared to put in the effort.

“I am optimistic of at least being in the play-offs but believe this side will be good enough to go straight back into the Premiership.

“We have three good strikers. Mikael Forssell has looked sharp and if he is back to his best we all know what he can do. DJ Campbell has scored many goals in the pre-season games and Cameron Jerome is proven at this level.”

Gold added: “Getting momentum early on will be important but we know teams like Colchester will come to Birmingham thinking it is their cup final with 25,000 fans. But we can’t worry about that kind of stuff. We have to go out and do the business.”

Bruce is delighted to have captured Jaidi and claimed: “It is a great signing for us. Radhi is a vastly experienced centre-half and he performed well in his two seasons at Bolton. We will be looking for more signings as well.”

The 30-year-old played 52 times for Bolton and has won 88 caps for his country, including being part of their side in the World Cup finals in Germany.