Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson hopes his growing reputation as a free-kick specialist earns him a place in Sweden's Euro 2008 squad.The former Arsenal player gave another demonstration of his dead-ball skills with a 20-yard curler that defeated the dive of Paul Robinson in City's last home match with Tottenham.
And he will be looking for a repeat showing in Monday's vital Premier League clash with fellow strugglers Newcastle at St Andrews.
Larsson said: "I have always liked to take free-kicks. When playing football as a youngster in the garden with my brother, he always wanted to play one-on-ones but I always wanted him to go in goal so I could take free-kicks.
"It is always something I've loved doing and, when the manager gives you the responsibility of taking free-kicks, every now and then you've got to put one away like I did against Tottenham.
"I've always looked up to David Beckham as regards the way he takes free-kicks. He can score them from all angles and it must be a nightmare for a keeper not knowing what he is going to do.
"He is someone you try and pick up bits and pieces from and, of course, the free-kick he scored against Greece to take England to the World Cup finals in 2002 stands out.
"I've always thought Beckham has been a great player for the way he could change a game and win it for his team. He has had his critics but he can change a game that quickly."
Larsson continued: "Now I am hoping my skills with free-kicks can help me be part of the Swedish squad this summer. Set-pieces are a big part of the game today and it is never a bad thing if you score goals.
"Maybe that can help me. We haven't got any specific free-kick takers so hopefully that will be a good thing for me."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury problems ahead of the clash with Kevin Keegan's side as his team look to bounce back from the 4-2 midweek reversal at Portsmouth.
Central defender Martin Taylor will serve the final game of his three-match suspension for his sending-off against Arsenal before playing for the reserves against Tottenham on Tuesday evening.
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