TONY Mowbray admits Birmingham City will be watching closely to see how Alex Pritchard's situation develops, with Sunderland's former boss keen on a reunion with the wantaway midfielder.

Pritchard's Sunderland future has been uncertain all season but the issue has come to a head in recent days, with the 30-year-old refusing to play against Stoke City in the hope of forcing a move before Thursday's deadline.

Pritchard is frustrated at having been made to wait for a contract extension and is understood to have more security and a longer-term deal than Sunderland's one-year offer on the table elsewhere.

But Sunderland sources claim the club hasn't received any offers for Pritchard.

Birmingham are interested in the midfielder this month and Mowbray admits the Blues will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming days.

He said: “Let Sunderland get on with their business and wait and see what happens in the next five days.

“What I do know is Alex Pritchard is a player with personality and character, wonderful ball manipulation and great dead ball skills. We will wait and see how it develops. He is not our player, he is somebody I shouldn’t be talking about I suppose, but we will see how things develop over the next four or five days.”

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Sunderland released a statement shortly before the 2pm team news on Saturday, saying: "On Friday morning, Alex Pritchard informed the club that he was no longer available for selection and he subsequently withdrew from today’s matchday squad.

"The midfielder also expressed his desire to leave SAFC with immediate effect."

After the win over Stoke City, head coach Michael Beale said: "It's been ongoing to be honest, not just the last 24 hours. He's a boy who is coming up to the end of his contract and he's been offered one, I think mentally it has got a bit much for him. Let's keep the focus on the players who played today.

"The only thing I'd say on the Pritchard one is that it hasn't been that difficult for me, I came in knowing that there would be a conversation between him and the club and whatever happens after that, is out of your hands. Alex has been really honest and we've been really honest in return. I lose a player but that gives opportunities to others like Mason (Burstow) and Abdoullah (Ba).

"I can only reiterate that this is a wonderful team to play for, the facilities we have, the support we get home and away, it's a fantastic place to play."