Clinton Morrison has spelt out his determination to repay the faith shown in him by Birmingham manager Steve Bruce when he finally makes his debut in tonight's Premiership clash at Goodison Park.
Bruce paid out a club record Stg£4 million-plus to be reunited with the Crystal Palace striker but it has been a frustrating start to his Blues career.
By his own admission Morrison was already short of match practice when he came to St Andrews and then he suffered a groin injury in a pre-season friendly at Stoke which kept him out of the opening two matches with Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers.
His absence was highlighted as City failed to score in either encounter but now Morrison is finally ready to make the step up into the big time, after scoring 71 goals in four seasons for Palace, and justify Bruce's belief in him.
Republic of Ireland international Morrison, who played 65 minutes of a practice match with Blackburn on Monday, said: "It's been a frustrating start at Birmingham for me with the injury and I'm not going to be 100% match fit.
"I only played about 20 minutes pre-season.
"But Steve Bruce said to me that one day I would become a good Premiership player and even on the international stage.
"I want to repay that faith. He helped me a lot in a short time at Palace and now that is carrying on here, and hopefully I can repay him by scoring goals.
"He gets the best out of me and I feel that I'm going to score goals for Birmingham. I am confident in my own ability. I believe in my own ability.
"I'm looking forward to proving to people who doubt that I can do it at this level, that I can perform in the Premiership.
"I don't feel any pressure because of the fee. I didn't set the price. It's a challenge but I am ready to take it.
"The big difference will be that in the First Division you get a few chances whereas in the Premiership only one or two might come your way, but you've got to be on your toes and be ready to put them away."
Another of Bruce's summer signings, midfielder Robbie Savage from Leicester, is also poised to make his Blues debut at Goodison Park.
Savage missed the opening two games through suspension after collecting 15 bookings for the Foxes last season.
But Blues striker Paul Devlin is still banned after being red-carded in a pre-season friendly.