Pennant out of prison

[jason]

Jermaine Pennant has been released from prison after being granted parole for his three-month jail sentence.

The Birmingham City winger, on loan from parent club Arsenal until the season's end, received a three-month jail sentence earlier this month after being convicted for three separate motoring offences.

However, the 22-year-old was told he would be eligible for parole this week and after serving a third of his sentence at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, the talented midfielder has been released on Thursday morning for good behaviour.

Pennant will wear an electronic tag as part of his parole conditions for the next two weeks, as well as being subject to a night time curfew.

Despite the restrictions, the player should be available to return to training with Steve Bruce's side.

The former England Under-21 man was delighted to end his custodial sentence early.

"It's a relief to be out, I'm looking forward to putting on my football boots and start training again," Pennant said in a statement.

"I'd like to thank all those that have helped me through this difficult period and I'll be making further statements in due course."

With his Arsenal contract set to expire in the summer, Birmingham are continuing to negotiate a deal with The Gunners to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis.

In the meantime, Bruce expressed his pleasure of having Pennant available again for the Midlands club this season.

"We are delighted that Jermaine is back with us again and I'm pleased that this chapter of his life has been concluded," Bruce told his club's official website.

"Myself and everybody at the club will be doing all we can to ensure that Jermaine settles back into normality as soon as possible."