Boss Alex McLeish hopes to have Roy Aitken's replacement secured by the time Birmingham City fly off to Hong Kong and China for their pre-season tour. McLeish has already sounded out candidates for the role as one of his trusted lieutenants, to join long-time sidekick Andy Watson - and Ricky Sbragia has emerged as firm favourite, reports the Birmingham Mail.
McLeish has made an approach to Sunderland for Sbragia, who became their chief scout after a short stint in charge of the Black Cats.
A former Blues and Walsall player, Sbragia is a highly regarded coach and impressed at Manchester United as reserve team manager before moving to Bolton Wanderers and then Sunderland, in 2007, for a second spell on Wearside.
