Latest Birmingham City news from BirminghamLive takes a look at reports linking John Ruddy with Luton Town
Rumours of Luton Town’s interest in Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy are growing stronger by the hour.
The newly-promoted Premier League club are looking to sign two goalkeepers this summer and Ruddy has reportedly been identified as the second, after Thomas Kaminski moved to Kenilworth Road from Blackburn Rovers last week. Ruddy would apparently stand a chance of being a Premier League number one again, seven years after he was last afforded that honour by Norwich City.
Luton’s interest in Ruddy no doubt stems from head coach Rob Edwards, who worked alongside the veteran goalkeeper at Wolves. Anyone who has shared a football building with Ruddy knows the positive influence he is and the standards he sets.
In an ideal world, Blues wouldn’t want to lose their first choice goalkeeper in the opening weeks of the season. Ruddy certainly didn’t give off the vibe of a man who had played his last game for the club after Blues’ opening day draw with Swansea City on Saturday.
But this is football, where transfers can happen at the drop of a hat and almost nothing is certain. Ruddy has always spoken positively about his spell at Blues and only extended his contract with the club last November.
The carrot of a return to the Premier League, if it is indeed on the cards, might be too hard to resist for Ruddy, especially if he believes he has a shot at becoming the Hatters’ number one. From speaking to Ruddy in recent months, it has been clear that pitch time is paramount to him at this stage in his career.
It would, however, leave Blues in the position of having to find a replacement. Neil Etheridge, 33, is about as experienced and decorated as Championship back-up goalkeepers come and could fill the gap.
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