Birmingham's boss has stocked up on defenders for the Premiership challenge ahead and is now turning his attention to his midfield. Manager Alex McLeish told Birmingham's official website: "I believe we are short in the midfield area and that's a position I want to strengthen.

"We are looking for players that are not fazed at the prospect of going up to Old Trafford.

"I would like to get a player of real authority with the ball in central midfield."

McLeish admitted: "They are not easy to find and it can be very costly, which is why we tried to do as much research on players as we could over the closing weeks of last season.

"When we qualified for the Premier League in early May, it allowed us to go out and about and look at many, many players, right through to the end of the season before taking some holidays this month."