BIRMINGHAM City are poised for a second transfer raid on cash-strapped Ipswich.Hard on the heels of their £1.3million swoop for midfielder Jamie Clapham, the Midlanders are ready to test Town's resistance with a bid for defender Hermann Hreidarsson.

By Mel Henderson

BIRMINGHAM City are poised for a second transfer raid on cash-strapped Ipswich.

Hard on the heels of their £1.3million swoop for midfielder Jamie Clapham, the Midlanders are ready to test Town's resistance with a bid for defender Hermann Hreidarsson.

But Brum manager Steve Bruce will only move for the Icelandic international if he cannot prise

ex-Suffolk youngster Matthew Upson away from Arsenal.

Upson, who used to play for the same local junior club as ex-Town pair Richard Wright and Kieron Dyer, is Birmingham's number one target.

But their interest in Hreidarsson was today confirmed by Ipswich boss Joe Royle, when he revealed that he has rejected several bids by Bruce to take the player on loan.

FULL STORY IN TONIGHT'S STAR