Express & Star

Cameron Jerome hopes the England Under-21 stage will advance his claims for a starting role in Birmingham City’s Premier League survival fight.

Jerome could get the chance to lead the England forward line when Molineux stages its third Under-21 international against Poland tonight.

A good response from the West Midlands fans should provide a lively atmosphere with a crowd in excess of 25,000 being forecast.

Jerome is in pole position to make a rare start and it could not come at a more timely moment.

Club boss Alex McLeish has preferred the partnership of James McFadden and Mikael Forssell in recent weeks which has left Jerome without a start since the January 29 defeat at Sunderland.

“The manager told me I’ve played a lot of football this season and he has tried other options over the last couple of weeks, which is fair enough,” said Jerome, one of several Midland-based players hoping to feature at Molineux tonight.

“He has to make those decisions and has freshened things up but he’s told me I’ve still got a part to play.

“Tonight offers me a chance to get a game if selected and just go out there and enjoy myself.

“Every time I step on the field all I think about is scoring, which is what a striker should do.

“As regards to putting myself in the window for my club, the manager sees me day-in, day-out so he knows what I’m about.

“I’ve not really got a point to prove, I’ve been in and around the Under-21 squad for most of this season and last season as well.

“It’s just a case of getting away from the pressures of club football at the moment and coming and playing international football.

“I’m confident in my own ability, and just looking forward to getting out there and giving 100 per cent.”

Albion’s Ishmael Miller was forced to sit out training yesterday and may be sidelined by a groin niggle but team-mate Luke Moore and ex-Walsall duo Scott Dann and Daniel Fox join Villa’s Craig Gardner in the group.

And the progress of another Villa man, Gabby Agbonlahor, through to the seniors is not lost on his rival from across the city.

“Gabby’s done well in the under-21s and also at Villa so all credit to him, he deserves what he’s got,” added Jerome.

“It’s nice to see people making that progress through the ranks and sets a target for the rest of us.

“David Bentley was the one who stepped up last season and now he’s looking to nail down a place in the starting XI so that’s something the rest of the boys in the squad are looking to do.’’

England Under 21s (probable): Hart, Gardner, Onuoha, Shawcross, Mattock, Johnson, Cattermole, O’Hara, Surman, Jerome, Derbyshire.