Birmingham have insisted that reported Saints target Stephen Clemence is not for sale.

George Burley has been in the hunt for a new midfielder since Danny Guthrie opted for a year-long loan at Bolton, and there had been suggestions he had put the tabs out on Clemence.

But Blues boss Steve Bruce has blasted such reports and insists Clemence is firmly in his plans for next season.

"Why would I want to let him (Clemence) go?" Bruce revealed.

"He was superb for us when he got back into the team, a real inspiration. He was my captain the back end of the season and won player and players' player of the year awards.

"He's a big part of the plans for the coming season. He's never let us down and he knows what the Premier League's all about."

Clemence, rated at £750,000, still has two years on his current Birmingham contract but has had his pleas for a new deal turned down.