Blues ring the changes

Stephen Carr is staying at Birmingham in their wake of their relegation while a number of players have departed.

Carr and Valles staying, five others released

Stephen Carr is staying at Birmingham City in their wake of their relegation while a number of players have departed. Veteran Carr's additional one-year option has been exercised along with 21-year-old midfielder Enric Valles. However, Birmingham have released Sebastian Larsson along with experienced duo Kevin Phillips and Lee Bowyer. Swedish winger Larsson was always going to leave on a free after failing to agree fresh terms at St Andrew's.

Departures

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor and defenders Martin Jiranek and Stuart Parnaby have also left Blues after their contracts expired. However, the club are keen on retaining Scottish forward James McFadden after confirming talks are under way over a possible new deal. Birmingham's acting chairman Peter Pannu insists the club is planning for the long term and that the best strategy will be implemented. "We have discussed strategies and player movements and policies. Suffice to say there is by and large consensus in the way we believe we should proceed," Pannu told the club's official website.