Birmingham first team coach Andy Watson is confident that Blues striker James McFadden will remain at the club this summer.The Scotland international has been linked with a move away from St Andrews following Birmingham's relegation from the Premier League.

Several top-flight clubs including Newcastle, Middleborough and Portsmouth are reportedly interested in signing McFadden, while Celtic have also been linked in the past.

However, McFadden has not told Blues bosses that he has a desire to move on and Watson believes that can only be a good sign.

"The one thing I feel about James is that he's a man of his word," Watson told the Birmingham Mail.

"He doesn't mess about. If he wanted to go, I'm sure he would come and say 'look, I would like to move'.

"I think he would be up front with us and I'm sure if he was unhappy about anything here, he would be first to let us know, in the correct manner.

"I'm certain there wouldn't be any of these things like working for a move, it would be bold, straightforward and up-front. That's the kind of man he is, and I respect him for that.

"So to answer the question whether or not he is leaving, he has intimated he would like to be here, he is enjoying it here, and he would like to help get us out of the Championship.

"James is playing every week here and that's what he wants, regular football."

McFadden only joined Birmingham for an initial fee of £5million in January and Watson believes he will want to repay the faith shown in him by Alex McLeish.

Watson added: "Don't forget, Alex went out on a limb to bring James here, he showed a lot of faith in him, and has spoken about the mantle (of being a vital player for us) he has got."

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