BIRMINGHAM boss Lee Clark is set to extend Shane Ferguson's loan deal until the end of the season - and is already making plans to recruit the Newcastle United defender again next term.

Ferguson's current loan arrangement ends after Birmingham's Midlands derby with Wolves on Easter Monday, but Clark is confident of extending it to cover his side's final six games of the campaign.

Ferguson has made four appearances since leaving St James' Park in late February, and caught the eye as Birmingham won at Middlesbrough in his most recent outing.

Clark clearly values his involvement, and is already targeting a new deal that would see the Northern Ireland international return to St Andrew's next season.

"Whether it's possible, I don't know," said the Birmingham boss. "Shane is very highly rated by Newcastle and has just signed a long-term contract there. But it is definitely something to talk about between the two clubs.

"From my point of view, Shane is a Premier League quality player. He has done very well already in the short space of time he has been here and I think he's enjoyed himself, going out and getting regular competitive football.

"If it is doable, then of course I'd love to have him back, for the season if possible. There is no chance of anything permanent, they hold him in such high regard.

"What happens obviously depends on Newcastle. It's whether they see him taking that step up to the first team on a regular basis next season, or do they want him to carry on learning elsewhere on loan?"