Hyder Jawad talks to one Blues striker about the arrival of another...

Emile Heskey has welcomed the arrival to Birmingham City of Chris Sutton and expressed surprise that the striker was available to move to St Andrew's on a free transfer.

Sutton, the former England international, joined Birmingham on a free transfer from Celtic until the end of the season and is likely to make his debut away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Birmingham have struggled to score goals this season, despite Heskey's form, and Steve Bruce, the manager, is anxious to address the problem. He has already tried, and failed, to bring Andrew Johnson back to the club from Crystal Palace.

As far as Heskey is concerned, the more strikers the merrier. That is a sign of the security he has in his own ability but also of his desire to ensure that Blues rise out of the bottom three of the Premiership as quickly as possible.

The arrival of Sutton, he says, can only aid Birmingham in their pursuit of security.

"Chris is a quality player and I do know a lot about him," Heskey said. "At this level, you need experienced strikers who know how to score, who know what work is required, and who have intelligence.

"Chris has everything. You don't get to play for England and Celtic unless you have all these attributes. We have done well to get him here and I think he will be a success.

"Birmingham need class strikers. Every club at this level needs strength in depth in all areas, so bringing Chris here shows that we mean business. Birmingham always seem to do well in the January transfer window.

"This is a signing who will please the supporters and again emphasise that Birmingham are always in the market for good players."

Heskey has only scored three Premiership goals this season but there are mitigating circumstances. He has played with different strike partners and, sometimes, even as a lone striker.

If the goals record does not read well, Heskey's performances have done much to suggest that he can return to the England squad in time for the World Cup. The arrival of Sutton will boost Heskey as much as it will boost Birmingham.

"It helps with competition for places when a new striker comes in. It keeps us all on our toes," Heskey said. "We know that we cannot have bad games because, if we do, we will be out of the team. So you will find that every player will be delighted that Chris has come in."

Birmingham are enduring difficult times up front. Mikael Forssell is horribly out of form, Walter Pandiani is constantly being linked with a move back to Spain, and Heskey has also had to play as a lone striker when circumstances dictate.

"Having different striking partners can be difficult but it doesn't really matter who scores, so long as the team are scoring," Heskey said. "It has not been an easy season. Birmingham fans are frustrated and rightly so.

"But there has been improvement in recent weeks. The 2-2 draw against Manchester United was a sign of our potential. I think we will avoid relegation but it will take a lot of hard work.

"Chris will play a big part for us and, hopefully, it will prove to be a big signing for us. I have played against him a few times, when he was with Blackburn Rovers and I was with Leicester City.

"It was obvious to me what a great player he is. It will be nice to play alongside him."

It appears likely that Heskey and Sutton will form Birmingham's strike partnership against Charlton. Neither is what might be described as an out-and-out goalscorer, but both are experienced, strong and talented.

As Heskey says, Birmingham can only benefit from the arrival of a player who has been one of the finest strikers in Scottish football since the turn of the century.

As for Heskey's international career, he remains hopeful of a return to the England squad in time for the World Cup.

"All I can do is make sure my club form is good, make sure I'm scoring, and then hope somebody is watching," Heskey said. "It's not ideal being in the bottom three but it can only inspire me to work harder."