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'Drunk' Pennant angers Birmingham

01/11/2005

Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant is facing an uncertain future at the club after he was sent home from training for being in an unfit state.

The Midlands club have not released any official comment on the incident but reports claim the youngster was dismissed from their Wast Hills training base for turning up drunk.

Blues manager Steve Bruce was incensed by the 22-year-old and is now considering whether or not to fine him two weeks' wages and issue a first official warning.

"This is an internal matter and I have no other comment to make," said a clearly unhappy Bruce after leaving the session.

Pennant's actions are made all the worse considering it was Bruce who gave the midfielder a chance to resurrect his career after he served a seven-month jail sentence for drink-driving while disqualified.

The former England under-21 star had vowed to repay Bruce's faith shown in him when he agreed terms on a three-year deal at St Andrews after Birmingham paid Arsenal £3 million for his services in July this year.

But despite his promises to be a "role model" player, this latest incident merely adds to the controversy surrounding a player once touted as destined for greatness.

His prodigious talent persuaded the Gunners to pay Notts County £2 million for him in January 1999, a week before his 16th birthday, but he has been unable to live up to his hype.

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