Alex McLeish realistic over new Birmingham City signings

Jul 12 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has insisted Blues are doing their utmost to bring new players into the squad.

The boss admitted he would prefer for them to be in place before the pre-season tour to Hong Kong and China, which starts on Wednesday.

But he said, being realistic, that was a big ask, especially considering the inflated domestic transfer market.

McLeish, who hopes to push through a deal for Roy Aitken’s replacement within 24 hours – Ricky Sbragia is his top choice – said: “We’re not done yet, we’re still looking to enhance the squad, which is vitally important.

“We want to bring in another couple of bodies to the squad at least.

“I’ve gone into training a little bit light as it is.

“For example, Dave Murphy needs games and there’s a suggestion Dave could go out on loan to get them.

“But it would be difficult to lose him for the trip. A loan would help Dave but at the same time it would leave us a little bit short.

“We have a few irons in the fire and we’re trying to make some headway.

“The big thing for me – and always has been since January – was to try and concentrate on people we knew rather than go down that foreign market route.

“There are undoubtedly good players (abroad) but some can be real unknown quantities and I was hoping I could stick to the players I knew.

“The problem with that is in the Premier League the prices are very high.

“We have done Foster and Zigic, and we hope we can do another couple as well.

“I spoke to Peter Pannu at the time we did those and he said don’t worry, the other targets will still be there for you to go and get.”