Portsmouth's Andy Cole Heads to Birmingham on Loan

Portsmouth striker Andy Cole will join Birmingham on loan after just eight months at Fratton Park having become frustrated over not playing regularly. The 35-year-old, who has made nine first-team starts for Pompey since a £500,000 move from Manchester City in August, approached manager Harry Redknapp and was given permission to go on loan to the Championship promotion-chasers until the end of the season.

Steve Bruce's club, currently second with a game in hand over leaders Derby, will pay Cole's considerable wages until the end of May. But the former Newcastle, Manchester United and Fulham forward has another year on his deal with Pompey and could return next season depending on how he performs at St Andrew's.

Redknapp believes his side can cope without Cole even though they have struggled to score lately. The striker, who won 15 caps for England, has started five Premiership games for Portsmouth and made 13 appearances from the bench. He has scored three league goals, the last at Bolton in December, and another in an FA Cup third-round win over Wigan. "Andy came to see me and said 'Harry, I'm 35, I want to be playing all the time'," explained Redknapp. "I understand where he is coming from. He wants to play regularly. He's one of those guys who wants to be starting every game. And you have got to respect him for that.

"If he feels like that, you can't stand in his way. He's not happy to just sit back and take his money. It's been difficult fitting him into the team every week with the other strikers we have. Birmingham want to take over his contract until May 30, which covers the play-offs. So it all depends on what happens at Birmingham and what he wants to do."

Cole's dissatisfaction at Portsmouth has been evident for some time. In January he was allowed to speak to Everton about a loan move after earlier enquiries from Charlton and West Ham. "We've had talks and are hopeful of tying it up if we can sort out one or two loose ends," said Bruce, whose side have not scored more than one goal in a league game since December. "I just feel at this stage Andy could be of great benefit to us and hopefully, if he comes here, can help us to get across the finishing line in what is a very tight promotion battle with eight teams still in contention."