Birmingham City's board will hold an emergency meeting today over Wigan Athletic's approach for manager Steve Bruce.

The Daily Mail says owners David Sullivan and David Gold, along with managing director Karren Brady, will thrash out a way forward after Wigan's formal offer for their manager was received yesterday.

Birmingham's three main decision-makers will gather at Sullivan's mansion in Essex to discuss Whelan's staggering offer and the potential takeover from Carson Yeung that has upset the equilibrium at St Andrew's.

The fact that the parties have agreed to meet highlights the seriousness of the situation. The board meet formally only at the end of every season, although they are in regular contact.

If permission is granted, it seems certain that Bruce will leave. He is unlikely to quit of his own accord due to prohibitive penalties that were inserted into his last contract.