ROWETT HAPPY TO BE AT FILBERT STREET

Rowett, who went to St. Andrews from Derby County for £1 million two years ago, admitted a return to the Premiership was too great to turn down after the Blues missed out on promotion in the play-offs this season.

The 26-year-old will become new Foxes boss Peter Taylor's first major signing since he took over the club from the Celtic-bound Martin O'Neill a fortnight ago. The deal is tipped to be rubber-stamped on Monday.

On signing with the club, Rowett admitted: "I have missed the Premiership-and it would be wrong if I was to say anything different.

"I have missed the big names and playing against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. It's not quite the same in the First Division.

"It was not a mistake to join Birmingham. It was a turning point in my career after I was not doing as well as I thought I should at Derby.

"But sometimes you have to take two steps backwards before you go forward again.

"I do not know much about my new gaffer (Taylor), but it seemed he watched me when I first moved to Derby with a view to including me in his England Under-21 squad," he told the Leicester Mercury.

"It never happened for me but at least Peter Taylor remembered me. Now I'm back in the Premiership where I want to be.

"Leicester may not be the biggest Premiership club but they are a proven Premiership outfit and have ambitious plans for the future."