Bruce delighted by Cole coup

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce claims he is the envy of his Coca-Cola Championship rivals after snapping up veteran striker Andy Cole.

The 35-year-old is expected to make his Blues debut when Coventry visit St Andrews tomorrow after joining from Portsmouth until the end of the season.

Bruce is delighted to have his former Manchester United colleague on board for the run-in.

He said: “Getting Andrew Cole here is a great signing for us and there is not a manager in this division who would not have snapped him up if they could.

“Billy Davies at Derby, West Brom or Wolves? They all would have signed him if they could.

“We have eight games of the season left and if Andrew can score, maybe, four goals, who knows how valuable those goals could prove?”

Coventry boss Iain Dowie could also be added to that list.

He said: “When you have the ability to bring in people like Andy Cole, who is among the best there has been in England outside Alan Shearer, the ambition of the club is clear to see.”

However, Dowie is under no illusions that Cole is not the only theat the promotion-chasing Blues possess.

“They have some top players and deserve to be where they are in the league,” he told Coventry’s official website, www.ccfc.co.uk.

"The credit must go to Steve for assembling that team. A lot of people have questioned him this season but I certainly wasn’t one of those critics because he is a good manager and it’s nice to see the good people in football doing well.”

Dowie’s goodwill will not stretch to allowing Birmingham to have things all their own way tomorrow, however.

The former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss is unbeaten since taking charge at the Ricoh Arena last month, all but eradicating the threat of relegation in the process.

He said: “We had a few big tests against teams at the top of the table, but we have risen to those challenges and I feel, with the excellent backing our fans, we can go there and show what we’re capable of.”

Dowie could welcome Kevin Kyle back from a hip injury, while Senegal international Khalilou Fadiga may make a return after returning from compassionate leave.

The former Bolton winger had been back home after the death of his mother but, after playing 70 minutes for the reserves in the 3-1 defeat to Wolves on Tuesday, he is likely to play some part.

The international break also came at the right time for Dowie, who said: “It’s given the lads a chance to recuperate and has also allowed Kevin Kyle, Kevin Thornton and Liam Davis to get closer to fitness.

“Everyone is in a good frame of mind and that’s the key for me. We were back in training on Monday and have got the same tempo and drive again.”

Dowie will not have to contend with Birmingham’s former Sky Blues star Gary McSheffrey tomorrow, with the forward missing out once again as he serves the final instalment of a three-game suspension.

He is joined on the sidelines by Julian Gray, who serves a one-match ban after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw with West Brom last time out.

The game is likely to come too early for centre-half Bruno N’Gotty who continues to be troubled by a hamstring problem.