Fabrice Muamba is targeting this weekend's derby with Aston Villa as the perfect match in which to score his first goal for Birmingham City.
The Congolese-born midfielder, who arrived at St Andrew's last summer on a permanent transfer after a promising loan period in the Championship, has yet to break his duck for the club despite having made more than 50 appearances. He never came close in Saturday's devastating 3-1 defeat at Everton but maintains he has been saving himself for Sunday's showdown against Blues' most bitter rivals.
The 19-year-old is established in Birmingham's midfield and although his role is prima-rily to break up opposition attacks he has also had chances to contribute in a more positive way.
It looked as though he had opened his account last month, in the defeat at Manchester City, when Wilson Palacios and Olivier Kapo carved open the defence only for Muamba's shot to hit Joe Hart instead of the back of the net.
But with Villa next in the firing line Muamba is determined to make amends, saying: "I am coming closer and closer. It would be unbelievable to score against Aston Villa.
"Against Wigan I was close and the week before [at Manchester City] it was even closer. I am sure one day it will come. It's not far away. I'll save it for the derby."
Like many of Birmingham's players, the former Arsenal trainee has never faced Villa or experienced the unique atmosphere of matches between the two teams.
Even before this season Muamba and his team-mates were aware of when the two sides would meet. "It's the big one," he said.
"I have been hearing about this derby for a very long time. We played West Brom and Wolves last year which was very good but this one is the top of the top. I am very excited about it."
While he cannot be sure of beating Scott Carson at the weekend, he is certain that teammate Daniel De Ridder can shine against Villa. Like most of Birmingham's attacking players, the Dutchman had a quiet afternoon at Goodison and it was only when Garry O'Connor was brought on that De Ridder was able to force himself into the game. When he did, however, it was to good effect and it was his deflected shot that won the corner from which Olivier Kapo equalised.
De Ridder has also yet to break his duck but his previous appearance in front of City's home supporters was a scintillating display in the 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic.
Muamba believes De Ridder is something of a secret weapon and says the England Under 19 player is nowhere hear his best yet, saying: "He can keep on improving and do even better for the team. He is a very, very good player. You can see that in training. He's very talented. He's got good feet and can play with his left or right foot plus he has got good agility. He is really skilful, a very good finisher and has an eye for the killer pass."
Although De Ridder is a relatively unknown quantity - the last two games have been his only starts for Birmingham after his early weeks were hampered by injury - that could be of benefit to Steve Bruce's men.
"He can be a real surprise package in the Premiership," Muamba said. "Not many people know much about him but there are loads of people like that in our team - some really good players who most people don't know about."
Meanwhile, Blues will have to wait to see if O'Connor recovers from the groin injury he suffered against Everton. There are fears the striker could miss Sunday's match which Steve Bennett has been appointed to referee.
