Birmingham City target Jamie Clapham says he is going to take his time before deciding whether to join the Midlands club. Yesterday the Blues agreed a fee of £1.5 million including bonuses for the 27-year-old.

Clapham returned to Suffolk last night after talks with Steve Bruce and says he won't rush into a move: "I can't say much at the moment. I will when I know one way or the other. I'll be speaking to my agent Andrew Mills later. It's not a decision I can make quickly.

"I can honestly say though that I knew nothing about this at the weekend — it came right out of the blue. It's a situation where you have to take your time."

Agent Mills says he will hear from Steve Bruce again today and that his player is happy at Town: "He loves manager Joe Royle and feels that he's bringing the very best out of him again.

"Jamie is happy in Suffolk. He's enjoying his football. He's at a good club and in a nice part of the world."

Joe Royle says he was aware of the club's financial situation when he came here but is still disappointed that a first team player may go.

He says that Clapham has a hard decision to make: "It's not difficult to understand why Jamie is taking his time. He's happily settled here and has been thinking in terms of a new house.

"He sees a chance of getting into the First Division play-offs with us. On the other hand, he can weigh that up against the fact that Birmingham are already in the Premiership."

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