Brum recall Darren Carter

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has recalled Darren Carter from his loan spell at Sunderland.

Mick McCarthy said recently that he'd been looking into the possibility of extending Carter's loan deal for the rest of this season, but Bruce has recalled Carter a week before his loan spell ended.

He told the BBC, "His deal with Sunderland is up next weekend but we feel that he's better off with us.

"We have been monitoring his progress closely and he's been part of a decent team and done well. He has benefited from playing first-team football."

Carter could go straight into the Birmingham team for the west midlands derby with Aston Villa on 12th December.

The player is under contract at St Andrews until summer 2007, a deal which he signed last January. Birmingham are currently 15th in the Premiership with only two wins from 16.