Bruce shows faith in Sadler

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has shown his faith in defender Matt Sadler by offering him a new two-year contract.

Bruce is to also decide on the future of Jovan Kirovski, Stern John, Nico Vaesen and Bryan Hughes in the next couple of months before their contracts run out in the summer.

Sadler, currently on loan at Northampton, became one of Birmingham’s youngest-ever players at 17 years and nine months when he made his debut against Bolton last season.

The England Under-19 player then required ankle surgery which meant his season came to a premature end and he is now rebuilding his career with the Cobblers.

But Bruce still has faith in his long-term prospects and told the Press Association: “Matt will be offered a new two-year deal.”

Kirovski, John, Vaesen and Hughes will be keeping their fingers crossed that they too get new deals.

John scored eight goals in 16 games to help clinch promotion to the Premiership two years ago but finds himself struggling to displace Mikael Forssell and Christophe Dugarry.

Hughes looked to be on the way out of St Andrews last season but impressed in the final quarter of the campaign when given a chance and he is now back in Bruce’s plans.

Vaesen is still on the recovery trail after damaging cruciate knee ligaments in the derby at Aston Villa in March, although he is now featuring in the reserves.

Kirovski was previously with Bruce at Crystal Palace but the United States international has seldom had a look-in since moving to the midlands in the summer of 2002.

Bruce said: “I’ve got Kirovski, Hughes, John and Vaesen out of contract in the summer and we’ll be sitting down over the next two or three months and seeing where they are and where we are.”