Bruce to be rewarded with new contract

Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, is to be rewarded with a new contract after his achievements at St Andrews' over the past 18 months. Birmingham's co-owner and plc chairman, David Sullivan, confirmed that the board would be discussing a new and improved deal with Bruce.

At the weekend Bruce spelt out his desire to put pen to paper on a new five-year contract, even though his current deal still has more than three years to run. Now his wish is to be granted after leading Birmingham to promotion play-off glory last season and establishing them in the Premiership during the current campaign.

Technically, Birmingham still need a point to stay up, but they are nine points clear of third-from-bottom West Ham with only three games to play and have a superior goal difference.

"I said at the start of the season that if Steve kept us in this division after coming through the play-offs then it would put him among the best," Sullivan said.

"Steve has proved himself and we couldn't have asked for any more of him this season. He probably thinks he has done well – and he has – and wants to sit down to talk about an enhanced deal.

"It is our intention to do that. We'll have a chat and come up with a longer and better contract for him."

Sullivan added: "I think the spell over Christmas and New Year told you everything there is to know about Steve. We had terrible injury problems and went through a run of six defeats and a draw. We gave Steve money to spend which he did wisely.

"He kept on plugging away and we came out of it. It's how you handle the setbacks and Steve Bruce didn't crack up and neither did the team."

Bruce is leading the race to sign France's Under-21 keeper Nicolas Penneteau in a £1.5m deal. Bruce has had the Bastia player watched and hopes his French contacts will help him clinch the transfer. Penneteau has also been looked at by Everton and Arsenal in recent weeks, but Birmingham could offer him the best chance of being their No 1.

Bruce has also given a trial to the Cologne keeper Markus Proell, who spent a week training with the club and is due to return.