Birmingham City striker Cameron Jerome has suffered an injury setback

Sep 5 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

McLeish intimated that he would be prepared to give him his first Premier League start in the Villa derby at St Andrew’s a week tomorrow.

However, his condition will have to be checked after he arrives back from World Cup qualifiers with Ecuador in Colombia and then Bolivia.

McLeish said: “I am pleased with his introduction so far. We worked hard on his fitness.

‘‘He and Giovanny Espinoza came in and they were clearly behind the rest of the group in fitness-terms.

“So we had to work to get these lads up ready and Christian is at a good level, as is Gio, and Christian is looking dangerous.

“I’ve felt that in recent weeks he was more effective as an impact player. That may change in a week’s time. If I can’t play him at home, then I’ll never play him.”

McLeish has deliberately been cautious in easing Benitez and his compatriot Espinoza, the centre-half, into the fray.

But he admitted Benitez had impressed him and he was an intelligent player.

“He knows where space is and we’ve seen that he’s got great vision and awareness of those around him,’’ said McLeish.

“I think he’s going to be a great acquisition for the club.

“When he came on at Spurs we ended up making three chances in the last 15 minutes.”

The pairing with Garry O’Connor impressed McLeish. He added: “Big Garry would normally have been on target in that kind of position he found himself from Christian’s pass. He’s a great finisher.

“And then there was Garry’s header back for Roger Johnson at the free-kick, unfortunately he put it over the bar.

“Christian and Garry’s partnership proved to be quite a threat to Spurs in that closing period.

“I have heard the question why did I not start them in 4-4-2? Well, I think it would have left us very open against a Spurs team who were flying.

‘‘And I have yet to find evidence yet that we wouldn’t have been down 5-0 had we gone 4-4-2 from the beginning.”