Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is keen to persuade Town target Ian Bennett to remain at St Andrew's. The keeper is currently weighing up whether to stay in the Midlands or join the Blues.

Bruce has offered Bennett a new two-year deal and says he was impressed with his form last season, aside from a 4-2 defeat to Bolton: "Hopefully Ian is going to sign the contract and stay with us.

"In fact, I'm desperate for him to carry on. Towards the end of the season when Ian got back into the team after that unfortunate Bolton Wanderers game, he was excellent for us. He showed to everyone that he is capable of playing in the Premiership."

Bennett, 31, is reported to have been offered a three-year deal at Town where he would be first choice keeper. If he continued his decade-long association with Birmingham it is likely that he would spend much of his time on the bench.

Nico Vaesen has been the first choice keeper for the last couple of years while it is understood that another stopper may be on his way in during the close season. Bruce has quashed suggestions that he is after Leeds' Nigel Martyn while Manchester United's Roy Carroll is another player linked.

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