Eustace is looking to extend Ruddy deal

BIRMINGHAM City are looking at extending John Ruddy’s contract after the goalkeeper’s excellent start to his first season at Blues.

As things stand it’s set to be his only campaign too with the veteran (pictured) agreeing just a one-year deal when he first moved to St Andrew’s from Wolves in the summer.

However, whatever doubts there were about the fact he had spent four years on the bench at Molineux have been more than dispelled as Ruddy as been a commanding presence as the team’s last line of defence.

Indeed the 36-year-old has played his part in four clean sheets from 13 games – and three in the last six – causing Blues to look at the situation again, a development first reported by BBC WM.

Head coach John Eustace is certainly a fan of the former Norwich ‘keeper, telling BBC WM: “He’s been very, very good on and off the pitch.

“He’s got great experience, he’s been promoted from the Championship.

“We’re very fortunate to have a player of his experience at the football club.”

Ruddy has been undisputed first choice since coming to Blues, keeping Neil Etheridge out of the side and impressing with his command of his area, communication with his defence and tidy kicking.

Ruddy came through at Cambridge United before spending time at Everton where he struggled to make the breakthrough.

However, a move to Norwich City in 2010 gave him lift off and he spent seven years at Carrow Road helping the Canaries to promotion in

2015.

He moved to Molineux in 2017 and helped Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to the Championship title in his first campaign before being replaced by Rui Patricio in the first Premier League season.