In terms of quality, Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce always knew just what he was getting when he signed Andy Cole on deadline day.

The only worry was whether his old Manchester United colleague was fit for the battle.

But, after three frustrating games sitting on the sidelines worrying whether his suspect hamstring would stand up to the pace of Championship football, Bruce took his chance and Cole has finally lit up Blues' promotion challenge just when it matters most.

Three games played, three wins, seven goals scored equals Blues back on course for automatic promotion. Whatever Bruce's board are paying Cole, he has been worth every penny.

"He's certainly made a bit of an impact in the few weeks he's been here," said a relieved Bruce, ahead of Saturday's big date with Sheffield Wednesday. "He's given us that bit of confidence."

Cole did not actually score his first goal until Sunday's remarkable 3-2 win at Molineux. But he had set up what proved to be the winning goals for Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Larsson in Blues' previous two games.

Although there are two more games to go before he can be said to have done the job he came to do, he really has so far been the difference between Bruce's men being potential champions and mere play-off contenders.

"All of a sudden we've scored seven in two games where, before he came, we hadn't scored much more than seven in the league in three months," said Bruce.

"He's got that swagger and ability to go with it. And I never had any hesitation about bringing him in once we had the chance to do it.

"He's a top, top professional and he'd already proved what a really good player he is in terms of his attitude round the dressing room. He's out there celebrating with the players."

As to whether Blues have a chance of adding him to the squad for what they hope will soon be confirmed as a quick return to the Premiership next season, Bruce said: "We'll sit down and discuss all the avenues. He's still Portsmouth's player so we have to show some respect.

"Right now, all we can do is see what develops in the summer."

At least Blues have more chance of landing Cole than they do Bendtner, the new strike partner with whom he appears to have developed a real rapport.

"The last time I spoke to Arsene Wenger," said Bruce, "he was talking about taking Nicklas back and being part of their squad as a fourth striker."

Admittedly, Bendtner has a lot of rough edges. But the skill level to play in the Premiership is clearly there.

Enjoying what looks like being just a five-game run alongside Cole (which has so far produced three goals in three games between them) can only have been of benefit.

"He's got a lot to learn," said Cole. "Mr Wenger has farmed him out for him to try and learn and hopefully he will learn, although he might learn the hard way.

"But hopefully in years to come he might make himself a name in the game. Perseverance is a key with someone like that."

Bruce reckons it may be sooner rather than later when the big breakthrough comes.

"Bendtner in two years will be a fantastic footballer," he said. "You see Ronaldo and Rooney two years ago to where they are now.

"They know what the game is about, they know how to handle the situation.

"Bendtner is a boy. You look at him, 6ft 4in and from Arsenal and, of course, he's got that swagger which doesn't endear him to people at times. But, make no mistake, he's a class act."