Birmingham boss Steve Bruce believes the transfer window handicaps smaller clubs, and is glad he can now concentrate on matters on the pitch.

Bruce believes that the system leaves clubs like Blues in the unenviable position of overloading their squad with too many players or risking being left short by injury problems.

Bruce told Radio Five Live: "It gets stressful, of course it does. It's not just the managers, though; it's the club secretary who's worked until midnight pushing things through.

"Thankfully now it's gone away. It's a huge disadvantage to a club of our stature.

"You have to keep players happy and carry bigger squads (than you would like) because if you do get an injury you need them.

"Last time we were in the Premier League we had four or five big players getting injured. We couldn't cope because you can't bring anybody else in (during the season)."