Jay Stansfield ruthlessly responds to Birmingham City transfer speculation

Jay Stansfield has rubbished the transfer speculation that linked him with a move away from Birmingham City in January, reaffirming his commitment to finishing the campaign strongly at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

The 21-year-old, the scorer of 10 goals in 37 Sky Bet Championship appearances since signing on loan from Fulham in August, was linked with Sunderland and Ipswich Town throughout the winter transfer window.

Wide reports claimed the Cottagers were considering recalling Stansfield and sending him elsewhere due to Birmingham's regression down the English second-tier standings. But a switch in temporary destination was never on the cards as far as the player is concerned.

When asked if he ever felt close to leaving the club in January, Stansfield ruthlessly said: "No, as I've said, at the start of the season I signed for a season-long loan and that was my only aim."

A current England Under-21 international with three caps, the versatile attacker relishes being a key player for Blues. There's still an element of rawness there but there's no doubting Stansfield's capabilities, as shown by his composed finish to beat Preston North End 1-0.

"Birmingham's such a good club and you can see in the past all the players who have come through here playing in the Premier League now. It's the perfect place for me to develop not only as a footballer but as a young man," Stansfield said.

Jude Bellingham is the obvious example but Jobe, Demarai Gray, Nathan Redmond and Jack Butland have made it through the Blues youth ranks in the past – and that's only including those from the academy.

Stansfield, albeit not a direct Birmingham product himself, is in good stead to utilise the club as a stepping stone. But for now, the focus is on keeping Blues in the Championship with six vital fixtures still to go this term.