Birmingham set to raid Championship rivals for new goalkeeper with current stoppers out of contract at end of season

BIRMINGHAM want to snap up Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears for next season.

The move would see the 25-year-old play for Tony Mowbray again and Mark Venus.

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Pears worked with them both at Ewood Park.

He has played 17 times for the club in all competitions this season.

And despite his contract not expiring until 2027, he could leave in the summer.

Pears has been identified as Birmingham are in need of a new goalkeeper for next season.

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Both stoppers John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge will be out of contract in June.

Ruddy, 37, is a former England international with one cap to his name.

He formally played in the Premier League with Norwich and Wolves.

Ruddy has been the Blues' No1 this season.

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Meanwhile, Etheridge, 34, is also an ex-Prem keeper known from his days at Cardiff.

As for Pears, he is the son of ex-Manchester United star Stephen Pears.