Gardner: Survival bigger than cup win

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Craig Gardner says he would willingly swap his Carling Cup winners' medal for Birmingham City's top-flight safety.

Gardner is facing "the biggest game" of his career when he returns from suspension for Sunday's Barclays Premier League match with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Blues are only above the bottom three on goal difference from Blackpool and Wigan Athletic, who visit Manchester United and Stoke City respectively.

Nine-goal leading scorer Gardner said: "It's a massive game. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League.

failed season

"The Carling Cup win was fantastic and it's something we will never forget. To lift a trophy for the fans and the club after so long was fantastic.

"But this game is our career, it's bigger than the cup final and we need to go out there and give it every single ounce for this club.

"On a personal level this has been my first full season at Premier League level and it's been a great season for me.

"But I'd give up every single goal now just to stay in the league. In fact, I'd give my winners' medal back to stay in the league.

"If we end up in the Championship next season, it's a failed season for me.

"We owe it the fans, we owe it the gaffer (Alex McLeish). everyone owes it each other to go out there and put a performance on."

big performance

Gardner believes a lengthy injury list has taken its toll on City but is confident they can obtain a positive result at White Hart Lane.

He said: "To be honest, the injuries and suspensions have hit us hard in the last few weeks and I think we shouldn't be in this position.

"But look at West Ham, they've got a great team and they've already been relegated. It just shows you how good this Premier League is at the minute.

"It has been so tight all season and in the last few weeks we've been sucked into it.

"But we're good enough to get a result on Sunday. We are not going to roll over.

"Everyone has got the same attitude and we are going to go there on Sunday and give it every last little bit."

"I owe them a big performance and hopefully Sunday will be the time to show it.

"I was sitting watching against Fulham last Sunday and I was thinking 'I should be out there.'

"I'm so glad we've still got a chance to stay up and I can actually be on the pitch to do something.

"I'll be giving my everything, every last drop to stay in this Premier League."

Barclays Premier League Podcast

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The latest official Barclays Premier League podcast, brought to you by Barclays, is now available to download.

In this week's show presenter Ian Payne is joined in the studio by the former Everton and Wigan Athletic defender Matt Jackson, lending his expert opinion as they preview each of this weekend's final Barclays Premier League fixtures.

Relegation battlers Blackpool go to Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United needing a result if they are to avoid going down. Manager Ian Holloway gives us his thoughts on this crunch match, while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson explains why his team will be going all out for victory despite having the title in the bag.

staying up

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy reveals why staying up is so important for the fans ahead of the relegation showdown against Blackburn Rovers and their manager Steve Kean talks about wanting his side to continue momentum going into the last match of the season.

We also speak to Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips who explains why he thinks Blues have what it takes to beat the drop by getting the result they need at Tottenham Hotspur.

There are details on how to win Barclays Premier League tickets, our weekly trivia teaser, and we speak to a Birmingham City supporter in Australia.

The running time of the Barclays Premier League podcast is 37 minutes and 50 seconds.

The podcast will be available every Thursday evening throughout the season. Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Kitchee relishing Chelsea challenge

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Kitchee chairman Ken Ng can't wait for his side to play the best of the Premier League at the Barclays Asia Trophy.

"It is exciting to think that the next stop for the Barclays Premier League after the end of the season on Sunday is Hong Kong," Ng said

Hong Kong champions Kitchee will join Chelsea, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers in competing for the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy at the end of July.
The Barclays Asia Trophy is a biennial tournament and the only Premier League-affiliated competition to be held outside England.

The four team knock-out tournament which will take place over two match days on Wednesday 27th and Saturday 30th July 2011.

wonderful bonus

All matches will take place in the Hong Kong Stadium with a final to determine the winner and a play-off to decide third place. Kitchee will play Chelsea for a place in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy.

Ng added: "For Kitchee it was fantastic to win our first league title in 47 years. It is a wonderful bonus for us now to be playing Chelsea.

"Our supporters, and indeed all football fans in Hong Kong, will be looking forward to see us lining up against world famous stars like Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and John Terry.

"I'm sure they will get both a warm Hong Kong welcome and a competitive game on July 27th."

The Barclays Asia Trophy Facebook page www.facebook.com/BarclaysAsiaTrophy is keeping football fans up to date with all the latest tournament news and will also be the main ticket portal for the two match days.
An announcement on how to buy tickets for the Barclays Asia Trophy will be made at the beginning of June.