Isaiah Rankin has suffered a frustrating 12 months but is hoping his loan spell with Birmingham City will help kick-start his career.

The 21-year-old is halfway through a month's loan with the St Andrews club after starting just two Bantams games in 1999.

Injuries and suspension have cost Rankin, who joined City from Arsenal for a record £1.3 million, dear since City won promotion.

He looked to be in fine form during pre-season only for a nasty hamstring tear to rule him out for two months. Then, after recovering from further niggling injuries to look sharp in training, Rankin was sent off in a 6-3 triumph over Newcastle reserves which earned him a three-game ban.

The striker looked to be set for a further spell on the sidelines once the ban was over only for Birmingham to step in and offer him first team football. He has made an encouraging start with the Blues and set up what turned out to be the winning goal for Bryan Hughes in a 2-1 win at home to Stockport last weekend.

He said: "I am disappointed to be missing the game but at least I will be enjoying myself at Crewe. Everything has gone well since I came to Birmingham and I would love to help the club into the play-offs.

"I was a substitute at Port Vale when Birmingham lost 3-1 and then I started last weekend against Stockport. I really enjoyed playing again and the fans reacted well to me.

"I am sorry to be missing the Bradford-Arsenal match because I think it will be a close game. Arsenal will fancy their chances but the Watford win has lifted everyone's spirits."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.