Blues prepare fresh bid for Gardner

Birmingham are preparing a fresh bid for Craig Gardner and hope to tie up the £3.5million transfer of the Villa midfielder later this week.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill confirmed after yesterday's goalless draw with West Ham that Blues' opening offer, believed to be worth £3million, has been rejected.

But that will not deter St Andrew's chief Alex McLeish, who has a significant transfer chest to spend during January, from upping his offer for the Solihull-born star.

O'Neill admits Gardner will be on his way if their Second City rivals meet their valuation.

The manager said: "Birmingham have made a bid. They had inquired and have made a bid but, as it stands, it hasn't been accepted. I know Craig wants to play. In an ideal world, I would love to keep him. He is as genuine as they come.

"There are some players who have left in my time here and haven't made a most incredible contribution.

"I would be sorry to see Craig go but accept the fact if two clubs agree, that he would probably would go."

O'Neill revealed that Blues remain the only club who have tabled a bid for the 23-year-old, although there has been other interest in the player.

But the manager refused to confirm whether Wolves, who are believed to be long-term admirers of the former England under-21 midfielder, are one of them.

He added: "There have been other inquiries but, as we speak, those other clubs haven't made a bid. Is one of them Wolves? I am just saying other clubs have inquired."

After breaking through under former boss David O'Leary in 2005, Gardner has become an increasingly peripheral figure during O'Neill's reign as the manager assembled a squad to challenge for a Champions League place.

The midfielder has made three appearances all season and has played just four minutes of Premier League football. He again failed to secure a place on the bench for yesterday's draw with the Hammers – despite an injury to Nigel Reo-Coker.

Gardner would become Birmingham's second January signing, following Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel to St Andrew's. He would also link up with two former Villa team-mates, defender Liam Ridgewell and veteran striker Kevin Phillips.

Blues have flown out to Malta today for four days to get in some warm-weather training, after the snow and ice disrupted their recent schedule.