A popular member of the Blues' squad, Oakes is a set-piece specialist who can either play in the middle or on the left of midfield.

The former Leicester City trainee was already familiar to Blues supporters when he signed in June 2005, as it was he who was at the centre of the handball that never was in the 2001 FA Cup quarter final which saw then Blues boss Lawrie Sanchez sent off for his protests.

After leaving Leicester Stefan spent a brief spell at Walsall prior to an 18 month stint at Notts County where he was the scurge of the Blues yet again with a spectacular winner in the Magpies' win here in February 2005.

It was a performance that prompted ex-Blues boss John Gorman to sign the midfielder on a two year deal which was extended by another year in 2007. Stefan played a key role in the club's run to the Carling Cup semi-final in the 2006/07 season, scoring two goals along the way, and has been selected regularly throughout the 2007/08 campaign.