Foster edges near to £4m Blues move

Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster wants to follow the example of Joe Hart after edging nearer to completing his £4million move to St Andrew's.

Hart was crowned Blues' Player of the Year at the club's end of season awards dinner last night.

This came the day after Manchester City goalkeeper was given a rousing send-off when all four sides of the Reebok chanted "England's No 1" after his final game for Alex McLeish's side as they signed off with a 2-1 defeat at Bolton.

Four-capped Foster, who is set to complete his move from Manchester United to replace Hart, has identified his England rival as the example to follow.

Speaking recently about his need for first team football, the Leamington-born 27-year-old said: "You see what it has done for Joe Hart this season.

"He's shown everyone what he can do at Birmingham and now he's going to the World Cup.

"You never want to leave Manchester United. If you leave this club you're only ever going to go down.

"But I want to be playing football. I'm not interested in just hanging about."

Foster, who once had a two-match loan spell with Kidderminster, has fallen to third choice at Old Trafford behind Edwin van der Sar and former Albion player Tomasz Kuszczak.

His frustrations have grown after making just 23 senior appearances in five years with United since his £1million move from Stoke.

But the 27-year-old proved his Premier League credentials with a superb season on loan at Watford, when they were relegated from the top flight in 2006/07.