NO ATHERS MOVE - JEFFERIES

Blues manager Trevor Francis revealed that he was interested in taking 30-year-old Atherton to St Andrews in a £250,000 transfer at the end of January.

However, Jefferies has insisted, in the wake of renewed claims that Francis will up his bid, that the former Sheffield Wednesday stopper, who only moved to Valley Parade in the summer on a Bosman free transfer, is going nowhere.

"Birmingham came in for Peter last month and I have heard one or two rumours about them coming back," stated Jefferies.

"But, as yet, they have not been in touch and I think someone is jumping the gun to suggest otherwise.

"Nothing has been decided and, while I still have people like David Wetherall out, there is no way I will let a defender go."

Wetherall made his comeback following a groin operation in the 4-2 reserve team win over Liverpool on Tuesday, and could be reinstalled to the team alongside his former Leeds defensive partner Robert Molenaar when he regains full fitness.

Click here to read our previous story, Francis Still Wants Athers