City set to reclaim Carter

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is poised to recall midfielder Darren Carter from a loan spell at Sunderland.

Carter has impressed during a three-month stint at the Stadium of Light during Sunderland’s push for promotion.

But Bruce believes he needs the services of the England Under-20 international given the below-par performance in some recent games of his midfield players.

Carter has already carved out a place in City’s history by scoring the penalty shoot-out goal which secured their place in the Premiership in the play-off final with Norwich in 2002.

But he has been limited to only a handful of top-flight appearances with Blues during the past two seasons and Bruce believes he has benefited from his spell in the north-east.

He said: “We are looking at the possibility of bringing Darren back. His loan deal with Sunderland is up next weekend but we feel that he’s better off with us in the current situation.

“We have been monitoring his progress closely and he did particularly well in the recent game with Ipswich. He’s been part of a decent Sunderland team and done well.

“We feel he has benefited from playing a fair slab of first-team football.”

Bruce is set to bring Carter back, particularly as midfielder Muzzy Izzet is still suffering with the knee problem he sustained against Newcastle two months ago.

Izzet tried to make a comeback after a five-week absence and played against Liverpool and Everton but is still in some pain and injections have failed to cure the problem.

Carter could even be thrust straight back into action in the midlands derby with Aston Villa on Sunday week.