Sanderson 'can leave' Blues and Eustace is a known fan

JOHN Eustace favourite Dion Sanderson has been told he is free to leave Birmingham City.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

The defender has been left out of the squad that will travel to the Blues’ preseason tour to Portugal as they prepare for their return to the Championship.

Sanderson's current deal at St Andrew's has two years remaining but Blues will be eager to offload him, given that he is not part of head coach Chris Davies’ plans.

And that could put Derby on alert, given Sanderson has previously been a trusted lieutenant of Rams head coach Eustace.

He played under Eustace on loan with Blackburn Rovers last season and the Rams chief was also the assistant at QPR when Sanderson had a loan spell at Loftus Road.

Derby have already been linked with a move for the centre-back, who also has experience of playing right-back.

The 25-year-old made 12 appearances for Rovers as they just missed out on the playoffs and when asked about his future he was unsure what lay in store.