Central defender Alex Bruce has denied newspaper reports claiming he had revealed his intention to leave the Blues to friends via Facebook.

The former Birmingham man, currently on international duty with Ireland, laughed off the claims, telling the club site: "It's a load of rubbish. I have not put anything like that on my Facebook page.

"I thought someone was winding me up when I was first told about it until people started ringing me up about it. Maybe someone has been playing a joke.

"Yes, I've got a year left on my contract and it's up to me to show the gaffer that I'm worth a new deal, but all I'm concentrating on at the moment is playing my part in us winning football matches."

The 23-year-old's comments also tend to suggest that earlier reports which claimed he had turned down the offer of a deal from the Blues were incorrect.

Bruce will hope to win his second full international cap tonight when the Republic of Ireland take on Norway in a friendly in Oslo. The Town man has not made the starting line-up but will hope to be used from the bench.

Republic of Ireland: Given (Newcastle United); Finnan (Liverpool), O'Shea (Manchester United), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic); Aiden McGeady (Celtic), S Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Whelan (Stoke City), Duff (Newcastle United); Keane (Liverpool), Doyle (Reading).

Photo: Action Images

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