West Brom's Gardner returns to Birmingham on loan

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Craig Gardner has re-joined Championship side Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer.

The 30-year-old, who controversially switched Aston Villa for archrival Birmingham in 2010, cannot be recalled by the Baggies during his temporary spell at St Andrew's and departs West Brom after appearing 85 times across three seasons.

"Craig has done a great job for me and the club and we were certainly not in any hurry to see him leave," West Brom boss Tony Pulis told the club website.

"But he is desperate to play first-team football, which I could not guarantee, and this is a terrific opportunity for him at Birmingham City.

"He goes with our very best wishes."

Gardner represented the Blues between January 2010 and June 2011, collecting the League Cup but being relegated from the top flight before being snapped up by Sunderland for £6 million.

The former England Under-21 international agreed to a shift to West Brom in 2014, but made just two Premier League starts this term before being granted a return to Birmingham.