Steve Bruce today told Matthew Upson that if Blues won promotion to the Premiership they would make him an offer he would find hard to refuse and build their team around him, writes Colin Tattum in the Birmingham Mail.

And Bruce insisted that the unsettled defender would not be sold when the transfer window opens in January unless Blues got a massive offer.

"At Southend United, he was the Matt Upson of old, immense, back to his best," the Blues boss told the Birmingham Mail.

"First half against QPR you could see exactly why he has played seven times for England. He's a very, very good player.

"I've got to be strong enough, we've got to be strong enough, when the transfer window opens.

"Matt Upson could be key to getting us to where we want to be.

"If the situation stays the same by the summer, and hopefully we are in the Premier League, then we can re-address it - we can make him an offer he can't refuse.

"I have said to Matt that if we get back up, then we would want to build our team around him.

"Where can I go and get an England centre-back, who is left-sided and 27 years old with his quality? I don't think I can.

"Of course, he is looking at the situation. He is devastated with the injuries he's had and also he's devastated that he's not playing in the top league.

"That could all change in three or four months."