Cardiff City are battling to keep hold of defender Roger Johnson.

The Birmingham Mail says Cardiff will offer Birmingham target Johnson their captaincy in a bid to ward off interest from Alex McLeish.

Blues have already had a £3.5million bid for the centre-back rejected but they are likely to return with an improved offer.

Only a fee closer to £5million would be enough to persuade Cardiff to let go of their reigning player-of-the season, who has been on Blues' wanted list for some time.