Mikael Forssell admits he's delighted with his new chance at Birmingham City.

The Finland international looked bound for German side Hannover after three injury-wrecked years at the Blues.

But the deal never went through and Forssell has looked sharp enough during pre-season to be in serious contention to face Jose Mourinho's team.

His knee problems appear to be over after netting five times in five warm-up games.

Forssell said: "There was some interest from Germany but the board decided they didn't want to sell me and I wanted to stay with Birmingham and fight for my place.

"I thought there was a chance my Birmingham career was over but the manager (Steve Bruce) has seen things in me this pre-season and now it's down to me.

"I felt there was a chance this summer that I was going somewhere else. It was close but I am still here battling for a place.

"The most important thing for me at the moment is to make sure I stay fit.

"After what I've been through you can understand it if I say I'm just taking it one game at a time, one training session at a time.

"I do feel the best I have been for some time but I hope there's still a lot more to come."