Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has dismissed reports of massive sales if they fail to beat the drop this season.

Eck told the Birmingham Mail: "Sure, the short term aim is to stay in the Premier League.

"But I am here to try and give this club long term stability and I want to bring in players to take us forward.

"In January, McFadden, Murphy and Zarate arrived during the transfer window, the kind who I believe would enhance the team and help the others already here. That is the philosophy.

"We are a young side, inexperienced, with one or two older ones. We have found it difficult, but I think most people expected that would be the case when the season started.

"As I said, I am keen, along with my coaches, to make us not a yo-yo team that goes between the divisions, but a bona fide Premier League team.

"I believe it can be done, and I'd love to be one of the guys responsible.

"Obviously, there are no guarantees between now and May, but it does help if people have positive vibes."