BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill was today resigned to the fact that Robbie Blake will soon be sold to Birmingham.

Cotterill's delight at yesterday's hard-fought 1-0 win over high-flying Wigan was soured by the news that City are close to agreeing a fee believed to be worth around £1.5million for the Clarets captain.

Blake, an ever-present this season, found himself relegated to the role of unused substitute for the Latics' clash, which was settled by a Graham Branch goal midway through the first half.

And Cotterill later admitted he fears Blake has now played his last game in a Burnley shirt.

"I've resigned myself to the fact that Robbie is now going to be on his way and that is very, very disappointing for a manager," said Cotterill.

"There is going to be a decision to be made when he goes - and I do say when he goes because when a Championship player gets the opportunity to play in the Premiership, you can't hold them back.

"There is only one loser in all this and that's me because I don't have him to pick anymore.

"But I think he deserves a chance to play in the Premiership and the two chairmen are now talking about the future and I'm sure things will materialise in the next few days - unfortunately!"

Cotterill explained his reasons for dropping Blake to the bench in the wake of Burnley rejecting four recent bids from Wigan and one earlier, initial approach from Birmingham.

He added: "I have to make decisions. This is a great job Monday to Friday and it's only one day a week that causes you heartache.

"I made Robbie my captain, I have loads of time for him and it hurt a lot to put him on the bench.

"But as people know we don't have the biggest of squads and I had to put him there.

"When he leaves it means I won't have the talent, ability and the goalscoring prowess of Robbie Blake around any more.

"But you try begrudging anyone the chance to go into the Premiership. It's tough and I've done all I can.

"I don't think there is anything more

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I could do to keep Robbie here and it's a big disappointment, but life moves on."

Meanwhile, Cotterill hailed the "eleven heroes" who earned the Clarets only their second ever win against Wigan in 19 attempts dating back over two decades.

He beamed: "We had 11 heroes out there and they were all fantastic from the off.

"We bit into the tackle and snapped away at everything and I thought it was a great performance.

"We could end up naming all 11 heroes, but I thought the back four was excellent. They got back to being their stingy selves and defended fantastically well, as did Brian Jensen.

"The whole team ethic was magnificent and you need that to succeed at any level."