Martin O'Neill will be "sorry" to see Craig Gardner leave Aston Villa but accepts the midfielder wants regular first-team football.
Gardner looks poised to complete a move to Birmingham if the two clubs can agree on a fee after the initial offer for the player was rejected. The England Under-21 international has had only a bit-part role to play at Villa this season. Wolves have also inquired about Gardner but Birmingham are the only club to have so far made a definite bid.
O'Neill told Press Association Sport: "I know Craig wants to play. In an ideal world, I would love to keep him. He is as genuine as they come. There are some players who have left in my time here who haven't made a most incredible contribution."
He added: "But I would be sorry to see Craig go but accept the fact if two clubs agree a fee, that he would probably would go.
"Birmingham have made a bid and, as it stands, it hasn't been accepted.
"There have been other enquiries but, as we speak, those other clubs haven't made a bid."
Gardner could become Birmingham's second January signing, following Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel to St Andrew's.
He would link up with two former Villa team-mates, defender Liam Ridgewell and veteran striker Kevin Phillips.
Source: PA
Source: PA