Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle target Craig Gardner ready to leave Birmingham
ShareCraig Gardner has opened the door to a move to Newcastle after the Birmingham midfielder admitted he is unsure where his future lies after the departure of manager Alex McLeish.[LNB]Gardner was Birmingham's top scorer with 10 goals in his first full season at St. Andrew's following his ?3million move from Aston Villa.[LNB]But lifelong City fan Gardner is now being linked with a ?5million move to St James' Park with Sunderland also highly interested.[LNB] Middle man: Newcastle are closing in on Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner[LNB]When asked if he is leaving or staying at Blues, Gardner said: 'I don't know. It's a difficult one.[LNB]'I'm unsure exactly what is happening behind the scenes and what the board are thinking.[LNB]'Where are we going, what are we planning to do? I don't know.[LNB]'At the end of the day, like every player, you have to think of your career. Everything is up in the air at the moment.'[LNB]Gardner admits McLeish, who looks set to move to Villa as Gerard Houllier's successor, has been a massive influence.[LNB] On his way: Gardner admits his future at Birmingham is uncertain[LNB]He said: 'For me, Alex McLeish was great. He showed a lot of faith in me, signing me from Villa, and my career moved forward from there.[LNB]'It's a sad loss for Birmingham and it's not a good start to the summer.[LNB]'The club needs to bring in a manager with the kind of credentials and experience Alex McLeish has. Someone like that would fit the bill.'[LNB] Newcastle close in on Barnetta with Pardew set to pip Sunderland to Gardner'Bluenose scum not welcome!' Villa fans' backlash against McLeish hits new heightsEXCLUSIVE: Gardner set to join Birmingham exodus after ?5m Sunderland bidAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinionAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Craig Gardner, Gerard Houllier, Alex McLeish Places: Birmingham, Newcastle
