Bruce moves for firebrand Bellamy

CRAIG BELLAMY was last night handed a Premiership lifeline after Birmingham made a £6 million bid to open up an escape route from Newcastle.

Just hours after Magpies’ boss Graeme Souness insisted the 25-year-old Wales striker would never play for him again, Steve Bruce offered him the chance to form a partnership with Emile Heskey.

“We have agreed a fee of £6m with Birmingham for the transfer of Craig Bellamy and Birmingham have been given permission to talk to the player,” a Newcastle spokesman said.