Mario Staying Put

Last updated : 01 August 2005 By Brian Cartlidge

The Dutch international right back is halfway through a two year contract with Blues and speculation over the summer has been suggesting that the former Chelsea defender could be ready to leave.

However, Melchiot has confirmed that he will be seeing out the remainder of his contract at St Andrew's.

"There have been a lot of rumours about whether I would return but I made sure the gossip stopped quickly," he said.

"I'm in the last year of my deal and I will give my very best and at the end of the season we will make a decision."

"I had a long chat with manager Steve Bruce and the board after the end of last season and I have made it clear to them that I didn't want to go anywhere.

"That needed to be done quickly so it made it easier for the manager in terms of what needed to be done in the summer.

"When I came here the manager had a time when he could have gone to Newcastle but he said it was too early for him to leave and the same applies to me.

"I signed a two-year deal to be at Birmingham and the only thing on my mind is to play for the manager. The way he treated me meant I just wanted to give him something back."