Portsmouth striker Cole joined Blues on loan for the closing stages of their promotion campaign, helping them to promotion as runners-up to Sunderland and scoring an important goal in the 3-2 success at Wolves.

But Birmingham boss Bruce said today: "I would like to make it (the loan move) permanent.

"But I don't think we can afford him with a year left on his salary (at Portsmouth).

"But he's made a big impact at a time when we were wobbling.

"To come off the bench with not much preparation is amazing - he's done a fantastic job."

Meanwhile, Bruce, a self-confessed Newcastle fan, was generous in his praise for Sunderland, who pipped his team for the Championship title today.

Birmingham led the table this morning but lost 1-0 at Preston, while Sunderland eased to a 5-0 success at relegated Luton.

Bruce was a team-mate of Sunderland manager Roy Keane at Manchester United and added on Sky Sports News: "He's always been a natural leader of course - he's got a big, big future in the game.

"Congratulations to Sunderland - to only lose one game this year is amazing."