Ridgewell set to seal Blues move

Aug 2 2007 By Nick Pullen, Birmingham Mail

VILLA defender Liam Ridgewell was expected to complete his move across the city to St Andrew's this afternoon.

And Blues were set to complete a double swoop by signing Fulham's French full-back Franck Queudrue for around £2.5million.

Ridgewell, aged 22, will cost Blues around £2.25million and his departure almost certainly means manager Martin O'Neill has lined up a replacement, believed to be £4million-rated Norway international Brede Hangeland, who plays for FC Copenhagen.

O'Neill took no risks at Stoke last night ahead of Saturday's visit of Italian champions Inter Milan, with his defensive options already severely limited.

He tried a fourth player at right-back this pre-season in Isaiah Osbourne and will be on the look-out for not one but two players to fill that weak spot.

Mark Delaney is still nowhere near ready to even step up his bid for fitness following an operation that he hopes will give him a chance of saving his career.

O'Neill has lost Aaron Hughes and Phil Bardsley from last season's squad with 24-year-old Porto right-back Jose Bosingwa and Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte, possibly via a loan, believed to be on his short-list.

Ridgewell's former club West Ham will receive 15 per cent of the transfer fee.

Blues boss Steve Bruce was alerted to Queudrue's availability after Fulham signed another of his potential targets, Paul Konchesky.

Bruce had been monitoring his situation for some time, especially with Newcastle United being linked to the defender as well.

Queudrue arrived at Craven Cottage only last summer from Middlesbrough but Konchesky's signing suggested he would be surplus to requirements at Fulham.

Bruce had also been weighing up a move for Albion's Paul Robinson and was prepared to offer striker Rowan Vine as part of the deal.

But Albion boss Tony Mowbray has cooled on that idea, especially as Premiership rivals Wigan are keen to take Robinson.

That made experienced Queudrue a much more attractive proposition.

The 27-year-old left-back joined Middlesbrough from Lens in 2002, initially arriving on a loan deal, but soon impressed boss Steve McClaren into giving him permanent terms.

He was an ever-present in 'Boro side during the 2004 season when they won the Carling Cup, beating Bolton Wanderers in the final. It was 'Boro's first trophy in 128 years and helped them secure their first ever participation in a European club competition.

Queudrue also featured in the following season's campaigns, when 'Boro lost out to Seville in the UEFA Cup final.

He made 32 appearances for Fulham last season, scoring just once.