Steve Bruce has quashed the speculation surrounding his imminent future as Birmingham boss by insisting he will see out the remaining two years of his contract.

Bruce is hoping to pip his former Manchester United team-mate, Sunderland boss Roy Keane, to the Coca-Cola Championship title after securing promotion back to the Barclays Premiership.

Rumours have continued to circulate that Bruce would quit now that his managerial reputation has been restored after nearly six years at St Andrews.

But he is adamant that walking out on City is the last thing on his mind as he looks to ensure the midlands club remain in the top flight by adding new blood this summer.

Bruce said: ''It is amazing what you hear. I made the decision last season to see it through, I've got two years left on my contract and I'll see that through, that's for certain.''

Bruce's position did not look so secure in mid-October, when Blues lost at home to Norwich, and he admits it was his family and friends who suffered most.

He said: ''I am delighted for my family that we've gone up because, when you do get the stick, they are the ones who feel it.

''I've got skin like a rhinoceros - and people say I look like one at times! I can take it. It doesn't really affect me.

''It's the people who are close to you. It affects them and hurts them. For all of them, I am delighted.''

Blues will have to win at Preston tomorrow to clinch the title but Bruce is already casting an eye to next season and is adamant he won't make the same mistakes as when City were last in the Premiership.

Bruce is still hoping to sign Fabrice Muamba on a permanent basis from Arsenal after a successful loan spell, although the midfielder is also a target for Reading, Blackburn and Middlesbrough.

He said: ''I will be making a call to Arsene Wenger about Muamba. I would love to keep Fabrice here.

''I knew we would have to be in the Premier League to have a chance of doing that. There might be a deal to be done there.''

Muamba will miss the trip to Deepdale after his red card against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend for two bookable offences and Mehdi Nafti could come into the side.