Carr came out of retirement to join Birmingham City

Birmingham defender Stephen Carr has agreed a new contract as manager Alex McLeish begins to rebuild his squad for the Premier League next season.

The former Newcastle full-back, 32, came out of retirement in February to join Blues on a short-term deal.

Meanwhile loan players Kemy Agustien, Carlos Costly and Scott Sinclair are all returning to their parent clubs.

But Blues are hoping to keep midfielder Lee Bowyer permanently after his loan spell from West Ham ends.

McLeish said: "We will make an attempt to keep Lee Bowyer and everything has been agreed with Carr. He wants to stay and he's done well.

"If he shows the hunger and quality he did when he came in here, obviously the quality is going to count in the Premier League."

Kemy was upset, he really loves it here. But I just couldn't commit myself to bringing him in for the money asked Alex McLeish

Agustien has returned to Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and Costly to Polish side GKS Belchatow while Scott Sinclair's loan deal from Chelsea expired on 4 May.

"Carlos Costly and Kemy Agustien have gone and Scott Sinclair has returned to Chelsea," said McLeish.

"Kemy was upset, he really loves it here. But, unfortunately, although I know there's a better footballer in him than we've seen, I just couldn't commit myself to bringing him in for the money asked."

Meanwhile Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti has, as expected, not had his contract renewed.

And decisions are still to made over a number of other players who featured for Blues this season.

Hameur Bouazza, who joined on loan from Fulham and Djimi Traore, from Portsmouth, are still waiting to find out if McLeish will try to keep them at St Andrews.

Stephen Kelly and Radhi Jaidi are both out of contract, Kelly was loaned to Stoke City at the end of the January transfer window.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version