Manchester City have blocked Birmingham City plans to sign permanently goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Brum boss Alex McLeish has been told that the keeper will be returning to Eastlands at the end of this season.

However, McLeish has not ruled out signing the England international for another year when his loan expires in the summer.

He said: "Manchester City will take Joe Hart back at the end of the season. There is no chance of us signing him in January.

"We asked the question and they said that won't happen.

"It is Manchester City's policy and they said that it was always the game-plan.

"They were going to be putting in an active policy of young players in place as well as bringing in the big names."