Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has held talks with Steve McManaman.

Big Eck, speaking for the first time about his face-to-face meeting with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace, said input from Carson Yeung's ambassador was more than welcome.

"I met Steve in the city a couple of weeks ago," McLeish told the Birmingham Mail. "We had a chat, a cup of tea.

"Steve just emphasised that he's right behind us. He's a big supporter of Birmingham, Carson and the guys. He knows them well and he's not in it to interfere. But if there's anything he can help us with, he will.

"If Steve can even help with one per cent, then we'll take it."

Trevor Francis, who is well known to McLeish, has also been lined up for an ambassador position, albeit it probably less involved than McManaman's.

McLeish said it wasn't a case of ex-pros ominously hovering over him, having a detrimental effect.

"What about Trevor as well, was there talk about Trevor coming in?" he asked.

"You can understand it, an ambassadorial-type role. It would be great, bringing back the Blues legends."