Bruce turns attention to Gardner

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was on Wednesday night working to tie up a move for midfielder Craig Gardner after landing teenage striker Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats quickly put their delight at seeing off the competition to snatch the 18-year-old Ipswich frontman in an £8million swoop on Wednesday to one side to concentrate on a man they hope will be one of his team-mates next season.

Birmingham's Gardner was also on Wearside for talks with Bruce keen to tie him up as quickly as possible as he closed in on a fifth summer signing following in the wake of Ahmed Elmohamady, Wickham and Bosman free transfers Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson, who will formally complete their moves on Friday.

Gardner deal to be done in 24 hours

Craig Gardner is set to end his 18-month spell with Birmingham in the next 24 hours and complete a £5million move to Sunderland, Press Association Sport understands.

Birmingham fan Gardner admitted it was "a dream come true" when he made the move from local rivals Aston Villa to St Andrew's during the January 2010 transfer window in a £3million deal. He celebrated by finishing as leading scorer with 10 goals in his only full campaign at Blues and helped them lift the Carling Cup.

Star Blues won't leave on cheap

Chairman Peter Pannu insists Birmingham will not sell any of their leading players on the cheap following relegation from the Premier League.

Blues are facing a £25million downturn in revenue for next season after their two-year spell in the top flight came to an end on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.