BIRMINGHAM City are keen to send rising star Jack Butland out on loan again, but only after the England Under-21 goalkeeper recovers from a knee injury.

The 18-year-old shot stopper became a firm favourite with the Cheltenham Town faithful during a three-month loan spell with the Robins earlier in the season.

Boss Mark Yates is understood to be keen to secure the youngster on another loan deal, but has ruled out a move for him ahead of tomorrow's trip to Hereford United.

Scott Brown has performed ably since making a return to the Robins ranks after Butland's departure in December and Yates confirmed that he would be in goal at Edgar Street.

"Jack is a player we like and a player we've had in the past, but Scott (Brown) is in charge of the shirt at the minute and he has to keep doing the business," Yates said. "Scott will be playing tomorrow."

However, Brown is the Robins' only contracted senior goalkeeper, with coach Steve Book providing his only back up.

So with a packed run of fixtures coming up and the window for loan deals due to expire at the end of March, Yates will be keen to secure another goalkeeper for the run-in.

Butland is sure to be the first port of call, but Birmingham boss Chris Hughton hinted that there has been more than one interested club.

So far the England Under-21 regular has only made the substitute bench for the Blues as former Wales international Boaz Myhill and Irish stopper Colin Doyle share the first-team duties.

He was on the bench for the FA Cup game at Sheffield United two weeks ago, watching on as Doyle kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory.

Since then he has been ruled out with a slight knee injury and Hughton confirmed that he wouldn't be allowed out on loan until he has fully recovered.

"We've had inquiries (for Jack) but not that many," Hughton said.

"At 18 years of age, although he's making great progress, I think most clubs who are looking to bring a keeper in are generally looking for ones who have got a little more experience.

"There is a possibility he could go back out but we need to make sure he's back into training first and injury free.

"He's just got a slight knee injury but we expect him to go back in training very soon and he'll be fine."