England

Alex McLeish Welcomes Cameron Jerome's New Deal At Birmingham City

The Blues boss is pleased that the powerful forward has committed his future to the club...

Jul 17, 2009 5:00:12 PM

CCC: Cameron Jerome, Bristol City - Birmingham City (PA)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

CCC: Cameron Jerome, Bristol City - Birmingham City (PA)

Teams

Birmingham

Players

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has expressed his satisfaction that the Blues' former England Under-21 striker Cameron Jerome has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at St Andrews until 2014.

McLeish also wants the 22-year-old front man to use the new deal as impetus in the next stage of his development as a player, and push on to the next level whilst with City.

"Cameron is a work in progress but I think he's definitely got the potential to cause havoc," the Scotsman told the Blues' official website.

"He's as strong as an ox and as quick as a deer, but I think we've still got to work on his fitness. He's got to go for 90 minutes.

"The problem with sprinters is that they use more energy when they make these lung-bursting runs, especially at breakneck speed, than a lot of others in the team.

"Therefore they can be more beneficial as an impact player or starting the game knowing that you've got to substitute them.

"If we can get Cameron's speed and strength into his physical attributes through our sports science department and work on a few little things in his game then he can be a huge asset.

"From what I've seen in pre-season training so far is that he's showing huge confidence.

"Maybe that he sees the new contract as a bit of belief in him from the club's point of view. He maybe felt his contract needed to be changed and rewarded.

"I thought he had a good season last year. He'll be frustrated at not starting all the games but my challenge to him is to get the superb fitness that goes with being a top Premier League player."

McLeish also thinks that, with patience, the striker could well develop into one of England's finest, with the onus on player to work as hard as possible to improve.

"Cameron is only 22," the manger continued. "It's four or five years until strikers like him peak but I think the Premier League has shown up some wonderful young talent over the last few years with players like Wayne Rooney bursting onto the scene.

"We're told it's the best and hardest league in the world so these players have got to try and be as good as they can be."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com