Frustrated Birmingham winger Daniel de Ridder admits he may have to consider his future at the club.
Winger considers Birmingham future
Frustrated Birmingham winger Daniel de Ridder admits he may have to consider his future at the club.
The Holland Under 21 international, signed on a free transfer from Celta Vigo last summer, has not featured for Alex McLeish's side since the FA Cup clash with Huddersfield in early January.
De Ridder is growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities.
The emergence of Sebastian Larsson as a key player has contributed to De Ridder being sidelined.
But De Ridder has hit out at the perception that he is injury-prone and is baffled at his lack of first-team involvement during the past three-and-a-half months.
"When Alex McLeish came in, I played in his first game at Tottenham and we won and I thought I did well," De Ridder told the Birmingham Mail. "I have watched the tape back and I was described as one of Birmingham's most dangerous players.
"Then I came on at Manchester United along with Mikael Forssell and I thought we made a difference and changed the game. But everything has altered for me 180 degrees and I am frustrated I am not involved in the squad.
"Sebastian Larsson has done very well but, although I am not the same sort of player, I believe I can still add something to the team even if it is making an impact as a substitute or on the left side.
Frustrating
"It is frustrating because I like the club, the city and the fans and I hope we can stay in the Premier League. But I also have to think about my own career if I am not playing."
As regards the perception that he is injury-prone, De Ridder insisted: "I want to make it clear I have only had two injuries since coming here.
"I got a kick on the leg in the opening game at Chelsea, which kept me out for six weeks, and a hamstring strain in a reserve game in early April, which kept me out for 10 days.
"Apart from that, there has been nothing. I am training hard and would love to be involved - but it is the manager's decision."
Boost
Meanwhile, Mehdi Nafti is winning his battle to be fit for Saturday's crunch clash at Fulham.
Nafti is struggling with a thigh injury he suffered in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, but the Tunisian is expected to recover in time to make the trip to Craven Cottage.
