Blues are just right for Djimi; Traore's hoping to stay.

Byline: Colin Tattum

DJIMI Traore today admitted he would be interested in joining Blues this summer.

The Mali international finally made his debut as a substitute against Watford after signing on loan from Portsmouth in February.

Injury had hampered the ex-Liverpool Champions League winner's availability, and the form and fitness of others also kept him out of the picture.

But Traore was sent on for the final five minutes for groin injury victim Franck Queudrue as Blues sought to close out such a vital game 1-0.

It was a baptism of fire but he responded to the task and on a couple of occasions made sound interceptions and headers to help repel Watford's late assault.

"I was pleased to play, since I have been here it has been a bit of a nightmare for me," said Traore, who tore his hamstring minutes into his first reserve appearance at Wast Hills shortly after his switch.

"I was injured for a few weeks and when I came back I then twisted my ankle during training. So I have missed a lot of first-team football.

"The manager said to me when Franck got injured to come on and just do the sort of job I have done in the past for Liverpool, bring my experience on to the pitch and I happy that he sent for me." Traore, whose will be a free agent in the summer, continued: "For me, I came here with a lot of ambition.

''Of course I've been disappointed because I haven't been able to play, and I've not given what I can to match the expectation of the people here.

"But I try to do my best in training to show the manager that I'm still ready to play in the Championship or the Premier League. It's just that getting injured didn't help me. "I am only 29, I have a few years left in football and I came to Birmingham to do well. "My contract ends in the summer, I am free then.

So I will assess what opportunities I have. "But, yes, Birmingham could be a good possibility. "I have been here a few months now and I can say to you that I like it here, my girlfriend likes it, we like Birmingham, it is a big city, and my son as well is enjoying it."

Traore was heralded as one of the game's most sought-after talents when he joined Gerrard Houllier's Liverpool from Laval in 1999. Milan,

PSG and Lazio were all after him. He made 140 appearances for the Reds in a somewhat chequered Anfield career.

He lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005 following the amazing comeback against Milan. But he was in and out of the side for the most part and will never be able to live down his bizarre own goal at Burnley in an FA Cup tie that same year when he tried to turn and execute a drag back inside the six-yard box.

Iain Dowie's Charlton Athletic paid pounds 2million for him in August 2006, he moved to Portsmouth for pounds 1million six months later and was loaned out to Rennes before Blues. Blues are reputedly paying Pompey just pounds 100-a-week for Traore if he doesn't appear in the first team.