Pennant out to repay Blues

Jermaine Pennant is determined to make the most of his chance at Birmingham.

The England Under-21 international has been dogged by problems away from football, and endured a nightmare season last time around which saw him spend time in jail after a drink-driving conviction.

It proved one fracas too far for Arsenal who opted to offload the winger they signed for £2 million from Notts County as a teenager.

However, Pennant was handed a lifeline by Birmingham who coughed up £3 million for his services on his release from prison.

The 22-year-old is adamant he will repay the faith shown in him by Steve Bruce, but has found himself at the centre of more controversy after claims he was involved in a confrontation whilst away on holiday in Zante.

The player has flatly denied suggestions of a physical confrontation, though, and insists he is focused on cleaning up his act and producing the goods for Blues.

"This is going to be a massive season for me and I am really looking forward to helping Birmingham achieve good things," he declared.

"There is a lot of potential in the squad and it is a fantastic opportunity for me, so I'm not going to do anything to jeopardise that.

"I've had some difficult times in the past and I've done some things that I regret. But I know how lucky I am to be a footballer and I just want to take the opportunity I'm fortunate enough to have been given.

"Birmingham as a club and Steve Bruce as a manager have given me fantastic support and the best way I can repay that is by doing the business on the field."