Curtis Davies set for Blues talks

?Villa are poised to allow Birmingham permission to speak to defender Curtis Davies over a possible transfer with Sebastian Larsson linked with a move in the opposite direction.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is keen to add a defender to his squad before the transfer window closes with Scott Dann ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

Manager Gerard Houllier had been set to allow Davies to return to Leicester City for a second loan spell until the end of the season.

Blues are said to be prepared to pay £2.5m for the former Albion captain although a player-plus-cash deal involving Larsson is also thought to be under consideration.