Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has been impressed by Alex McLeish's work at Birmingham City this season.

Rovers face Birmingham tonight.

And Allardyce told his club's website: "He's gone into the transfer market and he's gone into the lower divisions particularly and has spent very, very well.

"That is paying off for him at the moment with the younger players at a fair price, they've given him a solid foundation.

"The shrewd loan move for Joe Hart in goal, he's already said what a catalyst that has been for him to allow the team to take three points when they have scored just one goal.

"Some of the older players like Lee Bowyer have found their old form.

"He's picked up some good signings and those good signings, as well as the players who got him promoted, are paying dividends at the moment.

"So good luck to him. He's doing a great job, he's a really good guy and he was a centre half like me, so that makes him even better because centre halves make good managers."