Claridge backs Blues' Foster move

Former Birmingham favourite Steve Claridge believes his former club's move for England international Ben Foster is proof they have gone to the "next level."

Blues are closing in on the £6million capture of the Manchester United goalkeeper, as manager Alex McLeish looks to fill the void left by Joe Hart's return to parent club Manchester City.

A £1.5million bid for Fulham's Paul Konchesky has also been lodged.

The St Andrew's club have also been linked with summer moves for West Ham's Carlton Cole, Fulham's Bobby Zamora and Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia, with an £8million offer having already been rejected for the latter.

And Claridge, who spent two years at Blues in the mid-90s, believes the arrival of an "outstanding" goalkeeper like Foster marks the progress being made.

He said: "You get the feeling Birmingham have gone to the next level now and a move for someone like Foster is evidence of that.

"I think it will be a great deal for the club and undoubtedly will bring the best out of Ben Foster. It's the same scenario as for Joe Hart at Manchester City. Ben Foster needs to play, he needs to feel part of it.

"Anyone who saw him at Watford realised how good he was. You can't underestimate how important it is to feel a part of something. If you're not in the team it can be very hard.

"He needs to be on that teamsheet regularly and if he is you'll see an outstanding goalkeeper."

Claridge was at Villa Park for the official send-off for the Pukka Pies England Band, before they head to South Africa for the World Cup.