Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has no doubts Nikola Zigic's quality will shine through.

Serbia international Zigic has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League since joining Birmingham for £6million in the summer.

He has been left kicking his heels on the bench while Cameron Jerome has operated as a lone striker.

But McLeish has faith in Zigic to eventually show his true worth.

The Scot said: "Nikola is still adjusting to the English game. It is hurly burly, 100 miles an hour.

"On the continent he is used to balls being laid up to him and cushioning it and laying it off and keeping the play moving.

"It is a totally different game to the Spanish system and also the Serbian system as well. The players tend to get lazy as well when there is a big guy in the team because they just launch it forward.

"But we've got to try to get into the right positions to give him the right service."

McLeish added: "Nikola has still got to find some sharpness in his touch and things like that.

"But I am sure he will make a contribution."