Championship clubs are queuing for Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner.

The Mirror says Gardner is being chased by QPR, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.

The Championship trio are all trying to do a loan deal for the midfielder, who scored yesterday in the Black Cats' 1-0 win against Southampton.

But Sunderland boss Gus Poyet wants to hold on to the former Villa and Birmingham star until closer to the March 28 emergency loan deadline, with Sunderland still in a relegation scrap.