Birmingham City will treat Jobe Bellingham like any other Sunderland player when the two sides meet at the Stadium of Light at the weekend.

That’s according to Blues boss Wayne Rooney, who insists he is more concerned about what his own players do on the pitch in that match.

How has Bellingham’s career gone so far?

Like his older brother Jude, Jobe Bellingham came through the academy ranks at Birmingham, and went on to make 26 first-team appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

However, the midfielder then headed for pastures new in the summer, when he joined Sunderland for a fee reported to be worth around £3million.

The 18-year-old signed a four-year contract with the Black Cats, that is set to keep him at the Stadium of Light until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Since then, Bellingham has already become a key player for Tony Mowbray’s side, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions for the club so far this season.

With Sunderland set to host Birmingham on Saturday afternoon, the midfielder is now set to come up against his former club for the first time in his career.

Now though, it appears that Rooney is not planning for his Birmingham side to single out Bellingham, when they come up against the teenager this weekend.

What has Rooney said about Jobe Bellingham?

Given the obvious connection between the two parties, Rooney was inevitably asked about Bellingham before Saturday’s match between the two teams.

But while the Birmingham boss – who was of course appointed to the role after Bellingham’s exit from St Andrew’s – is aware of the talent the young midfielder possesses, he is more keen to put his attention on his own team.

Speaking about Bellingham, Rooney was quoted by The Chronicle as saying: “I know of him but I don’t know him as a person.

“I’m sure people will have fond memories of him around the club, but ultimately he’s a Sunderland player and we want to beat them on Saturday. It happens all the time in football. Players move on.