BIRMINGHAM City chairman David Gold has underlined his determination to keep Emile Heskey in response to reports linking the former England striker with a summer move to Blackburn Rovers.

Former Liverpool ace Heskey is thought to be on a list of potential targets drawn up by Rovers manager Mark Hughes, who continues to scour Europe for a proven strike-partner to play alongside Craig Bellamy.

However, Gold wants Heskey to stay and spearhead Birmingham's push for promotion next season, and he has vowed to do everything in his power to keep the bustling centre forward at St Andrews as City look for a quick return to the Premiership.

Blues manager Steve Bruce has already lost NINE players since the club were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.

Now Heskey, Jermaine Pennant and Mikael Forssell are all being linked with moves elsewhere, prompting Gold to say he's ready to fight off any potential suitors for the club's most saleable assets.

The City chief said: "Imagine the impact the likes of Emile Heskey, Jermaine Pennant, Mikael Forssell and a fit David Dunn would have as an attacking force for us next season?

"We have let players go and four or five will be coming in, but we do not have to sell people like Emile and Jermaine. Obviously, they would prefer to stay in the Premiership. That's where we would prefer to be.

"We hope no-one comes in for them but if they do and we sell them, then the money can be used for strengthening.

"Hopefully Steve Bruce, who has shown before he has strong persuasive powers in getting people like Christophe Dugarry and Chris Sutton here, will be able to convince them they can achieve that aim by remaining at Birmingham and getting us promoted."

Signed from Liverpool in the summer of 2004, Heskey has hardly set the world alight during his time at St Andrews, scoring 16 goals in 78 appearances for the newly-relegated Blues.

However, on his day the 28-year-old can still be a handful for defenders, and, poignantly, he tends to work most effectively alongside a nippy accomplice of Bellamy's ilk.

In fact, Newcastle striker Michael Owen once described Heskey as the best strike-partner he'd ever played with.

Heskey's physical strength appeared to compliment Owen's blistering pace and, for a spell, the pair enjoyed a profitable partnership in the colours of both Liverpool and England.

However, Heskey has struggled to reproduce that same form at Birmingham, where his profligacy in front of goal last season - he managed just four top-flight goals - contributed to the Blues getting relegated.

That said, Mark Hughes successfully managed to revive Craig Bellamy's career last season following a turbulent time under Graeme Souness at Newcastle, and he may well believe he can do something similar with Heskey.

The former Leicester striker is not thought to be Hughes' top target, but he may yet emerge as a viable option if the asking price were to prove attractive.