Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce admits he tried to sign Bolton Wanderers rival Sammy Lee as his assistant.

Bruce said: "Sammy was one of the people I spoke to when I was looking for a new assistant four years ago."

But Bruce concedes 'Little Sam' faces a tough test taking over from 'Big Sam' Allardyce.

He said: "What Bolton achieved under Big Sam over the last few years was unbelievable.

"It was always going to be a big ask for whoever replaced him. It's like having to find a successor to Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson."