Former Sheffield Wednesday coach set for a return to Birmingham City - reports

The 34-year-old was Tony Pulis’ first backroom staff appointment when he took control of the Owls in November before he was sacked 45 days later after just one win in 10.

Gardner, who left Hillsborough when Pulis departed, held a player/coach role at St Andrews in 2019 before becoming first team coach.

And it looks like he is set to return to his boyhood club and will join Aitor Karanka’s backroom staff after he was seen at the Birmingham City training ground on Wednesday.

A popular figure at St Andrews, the former midfielder won the League Cup with the club in 2010 when they shocked Arsenal in the final at Wembley.

He was certainly someone who was rated by Pulis, who at the time of adding Gardner to his backroom staff, said: “Craig is somebody I have great respect for, he is a top quality character. He's a young coach and very enthusiastic.

“Coaching is a massive cross-section of opinion and it’s nice to have people questioning what you’re doing and how you do things.

"I was one of the youngest people ever to get my coaching badges and was always questioning my managers! I think it’s healthy."

Gardner retired as a player last summer after making more than 300 appearances for Aston Villa, West Brom and Sunderland as well as the Blues.

On the international stage, the Solihull-born man made 14 appearances for England under-21s.