Birmingham chairman David Gold

Birmingham chairman David Gold says Andrew Johnson is "the sort of exciting player we would want"as they consider making a move for the star striker.

Johnson, who left the Blues for Selhurst Park three years ago, scored 22 goals
last season and has publicly pledged his support to the Eagles despite their relegation.

But Gold is not convinced that he will remain a Palace player after their
demotion and with him now part of the England squad.

He said: "Andrew Johnson is the sort of exciting player we want to come
to Birmingham City although you've got to imagine that there will be a lot of
Premiership clubs interested in him.

"What seems certain to me is that he will want to play in the Premiership.
I'm aware that he has said he won't leave Palace and kissing the badge and all
that is very romantic.

"But he is an England player and needs to remain in the Premiership. When was the last time an England player played for a club outside of the top flight? I will be stunned if Andy is still at Palace in August."

Regarding a possible move for Johnson, Gold would only say: "Our manager is on holiday at the moment and we are not due to sit down and talk to him for another fortnight.

"But when we do I am sure that Andy's name will crop up in conversation like
any other top striker."

Blues manager Steve Bruce is currently on holiday and any discussions about a
possible move for Johnson will not happen until early June.

The Brummies boss is keen to bring in a proven goalscorer to play alongside Emile Heskey
next season. He has already admitted he made a mistake allowing Johnson
to leave in 2002 when he went to London as part of the deal which
took Clinton Morrison to the midlands.

Now Birmingham are keen to have Johnson back again, ironically to replace the man he was initially exchanged for. Whether the Palace frontman himself is keen on a return to St Andrews remains to be seen.