Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson: I just want to play

Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson has insisted that his main objective is to try and find a way into the Blues' starting eleven, despite the fact that his ongoing contract dispute is yet to be resolved.

The former Arsenal midfielder saw his contract talks stall before the start of Birmingham’s pre-season tour of China, with club manager Alex McLeish taking up the 12-month option within the midfielder’s current contract.

Larsson has seen team-mates Liam Ridgewell, Maik Taylor, Kevin Phillips, Stuart Parnaby, Keith Fahey, Barry Ferguson and Garry O’Connor all offered new contracts but is yet to finalise any deal himself.

The Sweden international is, however, solely concentrating on regaining his place in the Birmingham side.

Speaking to The Birmingham Mail, Larsson said: "I'm a Birmingham player. I'm contracted to Birmingham and I want to play. I always give everything when I do. That's all there is to stay.

"The competition is fierce. You look at the midfield now and there are so many options available to the manager.

"Michel and Craig Gardner have done very well in the games so far. They came here in January, have had six months to settle, and we can see how desperate they are to impress and get in the team. They are both very good footballers.

"We knew Michel was very good with the ball and now he is becoming more confident and expressing himself because he knows what to expect in the Premier League and what the manager wants.

"They're both like me in wanting to play. I just want to play. I will continue to work hard and hope the manager will pick me. But the competition is high,” he concluded.

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