By Aydan Anderson
December 29 2004

It is rumoured that Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is keen to bring young West Ham United and England Under 21 winger Matthew Etherington to St Andrews. Bruce wants to add another winger to the squad after the sale of Jesper Gronkjaer to Atletico.

England Under-21 midfielder Matthew Etherington is the latest player to be linked with a January move to Birmingham City.

The 23 year old winger is one of West Ham's hottest property's and with the London Club strapped for cash it is rumoured that manager Alan Pardew will be forced to sell off more of the clubs best players in January.

Etherington started his career at Peterbourough were he played under ex-Birmingham boss Barry Fry. Etherington then moved to Tottenham Hotspurs but never broke into the team and was sold to West Ham in the Summer of 2003 as a make-weight in the Fredric Kanoute deal.

Etherington has represented England at Under-21 level and has made a big impact in the Championship this season scoring three goals from the Hammer's midfield. The ex-Spurs man can operate on either flank and can even play at full back if needed.

A player with a big heart and a good work rate it would seem Etherington is a player very much in the Birmingham and Steve Bruce mould of total commitment and endevour.