Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is ready to try again for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel.

The Daily Mail says the Scot failed in his January transfer window bid for Babel, who had fallen foul of ex-Anfield boss Rafa Benitez at that stage.

The Holland international, who has struggled to make an impact on Merseyside since his arrival from Ajax two years ago, made it clear he wanted to stay to fight for his place at Liverpool but his future is still in doubt, despite Benitez's departure to Inter Milan and as the Anfield board wait to name his successor.

McLeish struggled to match Liverpool's £11million valuation for the 23-year-old, who cost around that amount to take from Holland, but he may be looking to clinch a loan deal initially after missing out on Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia last week.