Soccer:Former Republic of Ireland and Birmingham defender Stephen Carr is set to sign a new contract with the Coca-Cola Championship runners-up.

Carr was coaxed out of retirement earlier this year by Blues boss Alex McLeish for an initial month-long spell.

McLeish needed an experienced right-back with Stuart Parnaby injured and Stephen Kelly loaned out to Stoke - and Carr fitted the bill.

The former Newcastle and Tottenham player created such a favourable impression that he remained until the end of the campaign.

City have held talks with the 32-year-old and his representatives since sealing their Barclays Premier League status for next season and Carr is now on the verge of putting pen to paper on a new deal.

McLeish said: “Stephen Carr has been excellent for us.

“The quality he has shown from his experience at Spurs and Newcastle and the Republic of Ireland has been superb.

“He has brought a lot to the team. He came out of retirement and was a real find for us.”

The former Scotland boss also wants on-loan West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer to commit his future to Blues.

Bowyer is out of contract with the Hammers in the summer and, although sent off in the penultimate game of the season against Preston, is another player who played a key part in City’s successful promotion bid.

However, whether Bowyer remains at St Andrews will depend on his wage demands.