Birmingham City fullback Mat Sadler admits the players want Eric Black to stay.

Black is expected to follow former manager Steve Bruce to Wigan Athletic, but Sadler said: "Steve leaving came as a shock and surprise really. Nobody saw it coming. It wasn't as if he was going to get sacked, or that anyone was calling for his head.

"Every player in that dressing room was brought here by him. He's played a massive part in their careers.

"But 'Blackie' has always had the respect of the players. A big part of the togetherness we have got is down to him.

"You can be sure that everyone will be playing for him. If he was given the manager's role full-time, he would do a good job.

"I don't think there would be a person in the dressing room who would think otherwise. I don't think there would be any qualms here from anybody if he was made manager."