Jermaine Pennant might have been left out of Sven's squad for the USA later this month – but the young winger insists he could be in the squad for next year's World Cup in Germany. The 22-year-old has put his one-month jail spell behind him and has bounced back to form with a series of impressive performances – arguably the best of his career. And Pennant also believes that the added responsibility of being a first team regular on the pitch is making a big difference to his lifestyle away from football too. He signs officially for Birmingham in a deal that could rise to £3m after the season but he is likely to come face-to-face with his former employers this Sunday.Arsenal, who visit St. Andrew's with second place already in the bag, are unlikely to prevent Pennant from locking horns with Ashley Cole. It is a challenge that Pennant is relishing but, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, he doesn't have anything to prove to Arsene Wenger.
Q:DO YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU HAVE A POINT TO PROVE THIS WEEKEND?
A:I don't have a point to prove to Arsenal. My point to prove is to Birmingham and hopefully I am doing that with my performances. I was at Arsenal for seven years so they know what I have to offer and now I am with Birmingham. I think I will be allowed to play, as there isn’t really anything on the game. It will be nice to see them all again but it is just as nice to hear the reception I always get from Birmingham supporters. It is going to be a fun game for me and hopefully we can come away with all three points.
Q:YOU SEEM TO HAVE STRUCK UP AN INSTANT UNDERSTANDING WITH MARIO MELCHIOT?
A:My partnership with Mario Melchiot is going really well on the right-hand side as he loves to attack too. He has his turn for 45 minutes and then I have mine! He will look to give you the ball no matter what, as he is a forward-looking player. He never really goes backwards and that Is very good news for me.
Q:HOW MUCH IS A REGULAR STARTING SPOT HELPING YOU?
A:I am playing the best football of my career but there is a lot more to come. This is my first proper start at a club where I am not on loan and not regarded as a young player on the fringes. I really feel part of the set-up at Birmingham and being a regular player gives you extra responsibility. You learn valuable lessons in life and my spell in prison made me appreciate the things I miss most. It was basically life in general and the fact that you just can't take it for granted.
Q:DO YOU THINK YOUR FORM COULD LEAD TO A CALL-UP FOR ENGLAND AT SOME STAGE IN THE FUTURE?
A:If I carry on playing like I have been for the last three weeks over the course of a season, then I don't see why I can't get a call-up to the full squad. I have played in the Premiership for a full season now and Sven has seen me play for the England Under 21 team as well, so he knows what I am capable of. If you are playing well week in and week out then you deserve a call-up and hopefully I can take this form into next season – which is World Cup year.
Q:HAS IT BEEN HARD TO RE-ADJUST SINCE YOU CAME OUT OF PRISON?
A:Everything is going really well for me - on and off the pitch – it has been a good start. I am playing the best football of my career and am on a real high. It has made a big difference that everything is sorted out off the field where, for once, everything is going just as it should be. The dreams I have are just starting to build up and I am delighted to be in the first team on a regular basis.
