The 30-year-old Charlton marksman looked set to join the ranks at Ninian Park after reportedly agreeing personal terms, but a last-gasp u-turn has led to him heading to Birmingham instead of the Welsh capital.

"You don't expect people to as good as look you in the face and give every indication everything is fine, and then say 'no'," Ridsdale told the South Wales Echo.

"At 10pm on Sunday evening I rang to check and everything was fine. I asked whether there was any risk that it could change and we were assured Marcus Bent was delighted with the move. The deal was done and the player was due in Cardiff for his medical to start (Monday afternoon). At around 1pm I was contacted and told he wasn't going to be at the medical.

"I have spoken to Marcus and he says a move to the Midlands suits him better. Why didn't he tell us that before? But we must stay calm and be professional. We will bring in the missing links to complete the squad as quickly as we can."

Ridsdale added: "We have been let down and not by Charlton Athletic, who did everything right and are a club I have major respect for."