Birmingham City interested in free agent winger as Blues old boy takes up Championship role

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Birmingham City are one of a reported seven Championship clubs interested in former Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda, BirminghamLive understands. The Robins confirmed on Monday the Republic of Ireland international has left Ashton Gate after six years at the club.

That appears to have sparked a scramble for his services, with BristolLive reporting more than half-a-dozen second tier outfits are keen on the 27-year-old. They say Cardiff City are chasing his signature – and he is also under consideration at Blues.

Bristol City had a year’s option on O’Dowda's contract, which they opted not to trigger, alerting their Championship rivals. BristolLive also claim O’Dowda is ‘expected to make a decision on his next destination this week’.

Cardiff fansite 'The Canton End' revealed the Bluebirds' interest on Monday and O'Dowda is understood to have received an offer last week as Steve Morrison completely reshapes his first-team squad.

O’Dowda came through the academy at Oxford United before Lee Johnson took him to Bristol City in 2016 for an undisclosed fee claimed to be above £1million. He made 176 appearances and scored ten goals during his time at Ashton Gate but found his opportunities limited under Nigel Pearson this season. Indeed the left winger made only 16 starts throughout an injury-affected season.

Former Birmingham City coach Mark Bowen has returned to Reading for a third occasion. With the Royals having confirmed Paul Ince has been made permanent manager, the Championship outfit also revealed Bowen has come back as head of football operations.

The 58-year-old, who was part of Steve Bruce’s back-room team when Blues won promotion to the