And Blues boss Alex McLeish has welcomed such confidence and belief from striker Zarate ahead of the crunch relegation meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.

McLeish confirmed Zarate will play some part in the clash with Roy Keane's side after signing him from Qatar outfit Al Sadd for the remainder of the season.

He was one of the stars of the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals but failed to settle in Dubai and is now looking to make an impact with Birmingham and keep them in the top flight.

Zarate said: "I'd like to stay at Birmingham longer than Tevez stayed at West Ham but I hope I can do everything Tevez has been doing and can replicate his success.

"He is a fantastic player. He did a great job in keeping West Ham in the Premier League with his goals last season and has played a major part at Manchester United already during the past six months.

"I also know that Birmingham have had Argentinian players before who have not make a big impact (like Luciano Figueroa) but I hope in the next six months I can change that image and keep the club in the Premier League.

"I had a dream to play in the Premier League and I will keep Birmingham in it. I've been here a week to adapt to the different style of play and the speed of the game

"But I am already feeling good and I will try to score a lot of goals and help Birmingham win as many games as I can. From what I saw of the team against Chelsea in their last match, they were very unlucky."

McLeish said: "It is great to hear lads having confidence in themselves and ambition. Sometimes people would knock it and say 'who does he think he is.'

"But we have got to have guys like that, guys who are confident and have got a bit of a swagger about them. In training the lad definitely has that in his locker.

"He has slotted in fine. One or two of the boys speak Spanish as well and he has been made very welcome and I think he has enjoyed the camaraderie and banter of the players.

"But, of course, it is about letting your feet do the talking now and we hope he will make an impact for the team in the last 14-15 games."

McLeish has not given up hope of bringing in Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill even though a fee has been agreed with Bolton.

But he has dismissed reports linking him with former Rangers striker-midfielder Peter Lovenkrands - now with Schalke 04 - and does not expect to sign FC Lorient defender Michael Ciani before the window closes.

McLeish said: "We are still working on a couple of things. We will have to wait and see. Cahill is a player we admire and would like to take him here as well. We will just have to wait and see what happens over the next 48 hours.

"We have ruled ourselves in on anything that is happening. I am not sure where it is at the moment. We are in touch with the agent and Martin O'Neill.

"Peter Lovenkrands? That is pie in the sky. Michael Ciani? I've looked at him, we will take another look but I don't see me doing anything before the transfer window closes on that one."

James McFadden is poised to make his full debut but David Murphy is still building up his match fitness and will not be considered against the Black Cats.