Birmingham City are ready to bid for West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer.

Brum manager Alex McLeish is thought to be preparing a £1million bid for Bowyer when the transfer window opens.

But when former manager Steve Bruce tried to sign him in 2005 from Newcastle, objections were raised about Bowyer by Birmingham supporters who started an internet petition to persuade the club to boycott the deal because of his character.

Bowyer rejected Birmingham, despite another outcry from fans in favour of the deal, with club officials claiming the player was concerned for his personal safety due to the city's large ethnic population.

But it is believed that he is now one of a number of players McLeish has targeted to strengthen the club's push for promotion back to the Premier League.

And it is felt unlikely that the doubts that existed before would resurface.

"Over the past few years Bowyer has been a consummate professional," one source told the Daily Mail.

The player's wages could be an issue but financially-troubled West Ham may be keen to do a deal.