Stern set for exit

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Blues, with the recent arrival of close friend Dwight Yorke the final nail in John's coffin.

Leeds are believed to be the leading contenders to seal the deal, with boss Kevin Blackwell admitting: “We've agreed everything and the decision is down to the player where he wants to play his football.

“The lad is a proven goalscorer. He's pacy, has an eye for goal and he's proven at this level.

“His scoring record at Nottingham Forest was tremendous and that's what led to his move to Birmingham in the first place.”

John has scored 16 goals in 73 league games for the Blues, having joined the club in February 2002 for £150,000 from Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Blues new boy Yorke has spoken of his disappointment at being partly responsible for John's imminent departure.

He told the Evening Mail: “I did consider what me coming might do, Stern is a good friend.

“I was the one that recommended he came to England and play for Nottingham Forest under David Platt. I've got a lot of respect for Stern.

“But we're all in a professional business. We all want to achieve things and at the end of the day we all want to be playing in the starting eleven.

“Whether Stern was here or not, the opportunity for me to come to Birmingham was far too great for me to refuse.”