Taylor Gardner-Hickman hopes to convince Birmingham City to sign him permanently from Bristol City.

The versatile midfielder has impressed for Blues since arriving on loan from the Robins in August and wants the club take up their purchase option. Gardner-Hickman made his 16th appearance for Blues in their 2-1 win over Exeter City in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday.

Speaking about his future afterwards, Gardner-Hickman told BirminghamLive: “I’m a Blues player for now and hopefully I show enough on the pitch and around the training ground to make them want to keep me on! We’ll see what happens.”

Gardner-Hickman, who hails from Telford and graduated from West Bromwich Albion’s academy, added: “Coming down from Bristol and being back home around family has made it easier for me to settle in. I settled in straight away and the boys have been absolutely class with me.”

The 22-year-old has played the majority of his football for Blues at right-back having impressed after answering Chris Davies’ SOS call when Ethan Laird suffered an injury in late August. With Laird now back in the fold and Davies using Krystian Bielik at right-back, Gardner-Hickman has shown his versatility to operate in midfield and at left-back in Blues’ last two victories. As a result of playing for the team, Gardner-Hickman’s popularity has soared with supporters.

“I love playing in front of these fans,” he said. “We have such a good away following. Credit to them for travelling three and a half, four hours, however long it was today. They showed up in their numbers and I feel like I’ve got a really good relationship with them.”

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