Blues chief: Player sales helped fund our spending

CRAIG Gardner insists Birmingham City's net spend "is not as big as some people suggest it is".

- By ALEX DICKEN

Blues' summer spending spree, which saw 17 new players signed including club-record acquisition Jay Stansfield, raised eyebrows across English football.

The squad assembled by Gardner, who was recently promoted to director of football, and manager Chris Davies has soared in League One this season and stands on the brink of an immediate return to the Championship.

The money card has been thrown at Davies and his players a lot this season, but Gardner is keen to point out that the club raked in some cash from sales, too.

Wales international Jordan James moved to Rennes in the most lucrative outgoing last year. If all add-ons are secured, Blues could eventually bank in excess of £8m for him, and that is classed as total profit towards Profit and Sustainability rules because James graduated from the club's academy.