Mark Hughes has confirmed he is seriously considering a loan deal for Joe Hart to spend next season at newly-promoted Birmingham.

Hart lost his place in the England squad following the arrival of Shay Given to Manchester City in January, and is keen to re-establish his top flight credentials.

"It is something we are looking at," said Hughes. "It might benefit Joe because it would give him the chance to play on a more regular basis."

He added: "That in itself would help his development. It is something we are seriously considering and it might well happen."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has already been in touch and is thought to be keen to install Hart as his first-choice ahead of Maik Taylor as the Blues attempt to consolidate their position as a top flight club.

Meanwhile, Hughes is adamant Sir Alex Ferguson is only letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United because he believes it is in the best interests of the Old Trafford club.

United confirmed on Thursday morning they have accepted a world-record £80million bid for the FIFA World Player of the Year from Real Madrid, with a deal likely to be concluded by June 30.

The news is bound to be greeted with some scepticism given Ferguson's previous stance on the matter, but Hughes feels certain Ferguson has only made his decision because he believes the Red Devils will emerge as a stronger force.

"There seems to have been a lot of speculation about Ronaldo's future for a number of seasons, to the extent it has started to become predictable," said Hughes. "Obviously Manchester United feel it is good business for them.

"Sir Alex Ferguson makes key decisions very quickly and I suspect he will have been very much involved in what has happened. He has made what he thinks is the right decision for the club and we have to respect that."