Lee Bowyer’s move from Newcastle to Birmingham apeears to have collapsed after protests by some of the club’s fans.

Owner David Sullivan told their website: “It looks like we are now going to lose out on a terrific player due to a small minority of fans.

“I am absolutely gutted. English midfielders with his ability are so hard to find.”

Bowyer is expected to leave Newcastle this summer after he brawled with team-mate Kieron Dyer during their game against Aston Villa in April.

Sullivan felt he would have been a useful signing for the club, but a section of the club’s supporters set up an online petition opposed to him joining.

“Lee Bowyer would be a fantastic addition to our side,” Sullivan added.

“We are looking to build the best squad that this club has ever had and the signing of Lee would take us a long way down that road.

“But the player has now said that he doesn’t want to go to a club where he is not wanted.

“We are potentially going to lose out on a terrific player as a result of this petition and I can’t describe how disappointed I feel at the moment.”