Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has revealed he turned down several veteran strikers offered to him during the winter market.

Big Eck failed to land his striker signing before yesterday's transfer deadline fell.

But he explained to bcfc.com: "There were a few players put in to me that have had good reputations but are well into their 30s. But to bring one of them in would be an insult to the likes of Kevin Phillips.

"Kevin has a great chance of being more involved in the remainder of the season but to bring in someone on a lucrative contract that doesn't possess the quality he has would have been a bad decision all round.

"We can now all focus on the exciting challenges that are ahead in the remainder of the season, starting with a West Midlands derby against Wolves this weekend."