BIRMINGHAM City powerhouse Dele Adebola might not be a wanted man, but Blues boss Trevor Francis isn't complaining.

The big striker has been on the transfer list since the summer and almost moved into Spanish football until a move to Las Palmas collapsed at the 11th hour.

But there have been no takers since for the 25-year-old Nigerian as he remains on the St Andrews staff.

Burnley and Preston both expressed an interest but Francis wasn't keen to let Adebola out on loan.

And he's now reaping the benefits of that decision with Adebola again showing the form that made him a £1 million signing from Crewe in February, 1998.

It was a trip back to his old stamping ground that got Adebola firing on all cylinders as he rose from the bench to spearhead City's 2-0 win at Gresty Road at the start of last month.

Since then he has scored important equalisers at West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth, while his double-blast also knocked Spurs out of the Worthington Cup at a stunned White Hart Lane.

And that recent record allied to injury problems within his striking department means Francis looks set to keep faith with Adebola against the Clarets tomorrow, possibly alongside loan signing Mark Burchill. "He's been in hibernation with a few injuries and a loss of confidence and that's why I put him on the list.

"But he started working hard and showing a willingness to do what I want from him.

"I'm just pleased he's still here," said the City boss.

Adebola has thrived on his recent run in the starting line-up and hopes to stay in the groove against Burnley to convince Francis that he can continue to be a big part of his plans.

"I know that if I'm a regular in the team I will score goals but you can't expect to be in the side just on your past form," he said.

"There are a lot of good strikers at the club now and no-one has a god-given right to play. I've been working hard recently and hopefully people will see a different side to me.

"I feel I'm slowly starting to improve, instead of going backwards like I've done in the past."

Birmingham are one place and one point behind fourth-placed Burnley, having lost to Barnsley in last season's play-offs.

And new loan signing Richard Edghill, poised to make his Blues debut following his arrival from Manchester City, believes Francis's men have what it takes to make it up this time.

The 26-year-old right-back tasted promotion to the Premiership with City last season and is looking to play his part in a double, starting against Burnley.

"You need good team spirit and togetherness to get out of this division and that is something the Birmingham lads have got," he said.

"You need to work hard as well. But from what I have seen, when I played for Manchester City against Birmingham, they are a difficult team to break down and I think teams find it hard to come to St. Andrews."