‘I’ve spoken to the US manager’ - Birmingham City boss John Eustace backs Auston Trusty to make World Cup

On-loan Arsenal defender Auston Trusty scored his first goals in English football as dominant Blues brushed aside Bristol City 3-0 at St Andrew’s.

The 24-year-old American scored at the start and end of the first half before on-loan Wolves defender Dion Sanderson added a late third.

City ended their three-match wait for a victory in emphatic style and extended Bristol City’s winless run to five games.

Nigel Pearson’s side failed to produce an effort on target as they suffered their heaviest defeat since losing 6-2 at Fulham on January 15 – and only several excellent saves from goalkeeper Daniel Bentley prevented an even bigger defeat.

All the pre-match talk surrounding Birmingham had been about Harlee Dean playing his first game for the club for 320 days after a loan to Sheffield Wednesday and a calf injury. But instead it was another central defender who made the headlines.

Trusty rose highest to Tahith Chong’s corner and Mark Sykes on the line failed to keep his towering header out.

Blues continued to threaten and had two one-on-one chances before the midway point of the first half, with visiting goalkeeper Bentley twice coming to his side’s rescue. First, Scott Hogan put Chong clean through but the former Manchester United youngster tried to dummy the goalkeeper, who was unmoved and managed to smother.

However, John Eustace’s side deservedly doubled their lead two minutes before half-time.

Trusty stabbed home on the line after his header from Hannibal Mejbri’s deep free-kick had bounced off the post.

And Sanderson made it 3-0 in the 76th minute, bundling home another Chong corner from a yard out for the 22-year-old’s first goal for the club.

Bentley kept out substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz’s header from point-blank range from Troy Deeney’s cross as Birmingham pressed for a fourth goal.

Trusty backed for World Cup

After the game, Blues boss backed John Eustace backed Trusty to make the USA’s World Cup squad next month.

“He should be on that plane definitely,” said Eustace. “It’s definitely not too late.

“I’ve spoken to the US manager (Gregg Berhalter) and I have told him how well he is doing.

“It’s important they see that and understand he’s playing in one of the toughest leagues in Europe, week-in, week-out, against top players.

“I think they’ve watched a couple of games on video but I’ve told them to get the scouts out and watch him play.

“He (Berhalter) should come and watch him himself.”

Eustace believes Trusty is heading for the top and is only going to grow as a player.

“He’s a special talent and he is going to be a top player going forward,” said Eustace.

“He’s getting better. He’s a young player who has come from the MLS into a very tough league in the Championship and he’s got good players around him.

“He’s in a good environment to develop and that’s what I want.

“The way he applies himself and his positive attitude is excellent and it rubs off on everyone.

“We’re very happy to have the player playing for Birmingham City and we’re very lucky to have him playing for us.”

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