Blues hopeful over double swoop

Birmingham remain confident of completing the double signing of Aston Villa central defender Liam Ridgewell and Fulham left-back Franck Queudrue for around £2.5m each in the next 24 hours.

Blues have put back their pre-season media day from today until next week after it became clear the two deals would not go through in time to parade Ridgewell and Queudrue in front of the cameras.

But City are optimistic what are believed to be minor contract hitches involving the duo can be resolved and take Steve Bruce’s tally of summer signings into double figures.

A source close to City said: “There are a couple of things as regards the contracts that need to be thrashed out but it is not envisaged there will be too long a delay in completing the deals. They may even happen later today.”

Ridgewell is keen to make the move to St Andrews after six seasons at Villa to fulfil his desire of playing regular first-team football.

He was a first-team regular during David O’Leary’s last season in charge at Villa but gradually slipped down the pecking order after the arrival of Martin O’Neill last summer.

The return from injury of Martin Laursen and Gary Cahill plus the presence of the ever-reliant Olof Mellberg means Ridgewell was fourth choice for the new campaign.

Former Middlesbrough player Queudrue is poised to move after his place at Craven Cottage became under threat after the arrival of Paul Konchesky.

It will give Bruce competition for places in the left-back berth where his only choice at present is Mat Sadler who is currently injured.