Blues boss Alex McLeish keeps an eye on Michael Ciani

Jan 28 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish will intensify his search for a centre-half and probably a midfielder as the clock ticks down to the end of the transfer window.

Villa's Gary Cahill remains the Blues manager's preferred option, but loan offers have been rebuffed by their cross-city rivals.

McLeish had already considered alternatives, with Lazio's Guglielmo Stendardo ruled out last week.

So now it is believed he has turned to French defender Michael Ciani.

The 23-year-old has blossomed with regular football in the defence of Lorient, who were promoted to the top-flight in 2006.

Blues have had him under watch for a while, and there are believed to be other alternatives to Cahill on their agenda.

There have been fresh reports that AIK Solna's Liberian midfielder Dulee Johnson is back in Blues sights.

He impressed McLeish during a trial but his club asked for a substantial permanent transfer fee whereas Blues inquired about an initial loan.

Danish winger or forward Peter Lovenkrands has also been widely tipped for a £2 million move from German side Schalke.

McLeish worked with Lovenkrands at Rangers but McLeish is now well stocked for wide men and centre-forwards.