Birmingham City chairman David Gold admits they're determined to hang onto Eric Black.

Former Blues boss Steve Bruce is set to be unveiled as Wigan's new manager later today and he wants Black to eventually join him at the JJB Stadium.

But the former Coventry boss will be in charge of Birmingham's home game with Portsmouth on Saturday and Gold is keen to make sure he stays on a permanent basis.

Gold said: "I believe Eric Black is special. I really admire him. His multi-lingual skills are so important in communicating with our foreign players and he has a great relationship with the squad.

"I will be doing everything to keep him at Birmingham. I want him to stay and will be fighting to stop him going to Wigan.

"We want to keep the best people at Birmingham - and Eric is a person who falls into that category. He will be in charge on Saturday and we wish him well."