SAINTS and Cardiff are going head-to-head in a battle to sign West Brom centre-back Darren Purse.

Both Championship clubs have had bids accepted in the region of £1m, leaving the 28-year-old to decide between St Mary's and Ninian Park.

Earlier yesterday it appeared that Purse was heading for Cardiff with the player's agent, Richard Cody, saying: "I have agreed personal terms with Cardiff on Darren's behalf.

"Darren is very happy and now we only have a few minor details to resolve."

But Saints came in with a bid and are attempting to snatch the player from under the nose of former Dell boss Dave Jones.

Saints hope their superior facilities and manager Redknapp's powers of persuasion could clinch the deal.

Wages could be an issue and Redknapp will want to avoid a repeat of the scenario earlier this summer when Saints were apparently unable to match Leeds in the chase for winger Steve Stone.

West Brom boss Bryan Robson said: "I told Darren we would allow him to leave if an acceptable offer came in.

"We have agreed a fee with two clubs and it is up to him to choose where he wants to go.

"At his age he needs first-team football and I understand that."

Purse joined West Brom last summer from Birmingham in a deal worth £750,000.

He played 22 games for the Baggies, but did not feature in the closing months of the season as Robson's men pulled off a dramatic escape against relegation.

He was dropped after a 3-2 loss at Norwich in February and never regained his place.

Purse had previously spent six years at Birmingham following spells with Oxford and Leyton Orient.

Redknapp is still looking to improve a defence that was a major weakness last season.

He has already brought in Crystal Palace's Darren Powell, but lost Swede Andreas Jakobsson earlier this week.

Apart from Powell and Claus Lundekvam, the only other senior centre half he has is Danny Higginbotham, who could end up playing at left-back.