Lee Bowyer is planning talks over his future at Birmingham City

May 12 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

Bowyer’s impact at St Andrew’s, and his interest in staying in Birmingham, is a remarkable turnaround given the ill-feeling a move to Blues attracted when it was first mooted in 2005.

Back then Bowyer was wanted by Steve Bruce but an internet petition from supporters, concerned about the player’s controversial past, forced David Sullivan and his board of directors into a U-turn.

Although a rival petition was set up by supporters in favour of Bowyer signing, the deal failed to materialise.

However, on this occasion Bowyer, who missed the final-day thriller at Reading through suspension following his sending-off in the penultimate fixture with Preston, instantly won Blues’ fans over by firing home a last-gasp equaliser on his debut against Cardiff in January.

Likewise, he quickly won over his new team-mates as McLeish later admitted that Bowyer was ‘loved’ in the Blues’ dressing room.

Bowyer struck up a successful partnership with Lee Carsley, and latterly Damien Johnson, in central midfield and went on to chalk up 17 appearances for Blues.

West Ham had been asking for around £1million for Bowyer in January before Blues agreed a six-month loan but he is now available on a free and the only stumbling block could be created by the player’s wage demands.