Alex Hleb finally fit and ready to fire for Birmingham, says Alex McLeish

23 December 2010 00:10
Birmingham midfielder Alex Hleb has resumed training after being sidelined for almost a month with a hamstring injury. [LNB]Blues boss Alex McLeish is hoping the on-loan Barcelona player will start to show his best form after 'playing catch-up in terms of fitness' since arriving at St Andrew's.[LNB] Former Arsenal star Hleb was showing encouraging signs when he suffered the injury during the 1-1 draw at Fulham in late November. [LNB] Bad start: Hleb was 'half-fit' when he joined from Barcelona, says McLeish[LNB]McLeish said: 'He is training well. The guys who are with him, say he's been working very hard. He came to us half-fit from Barcelona. I don't think he had a full pre-season which is what you definitely need as a player. Sometimes you have got to build on a player's mentality and confidence as well as his fitness. [LNB]'Alex is playing catch-up in terms of fitness but we've been encouraged by the work he has put in this last week.'[LNB] McLeish reiterated that he will look to strengthen his squad with proven quality during the January transfer window. He said: 'We are looking to add some quality and the board and myself are looking at it together. We know January can be difficult with inflated prices but there are a few names out there we are looking at. [LNB]'I think anyone we bring in has to be proven, people who know their way about the English game.'[LNB] McLeish has still to decide whether to pursue his interest in signing Los Angeles Galaxy striker Edson Buddle, who is currently training with the club. [LNB] Birmingham look to snatch £6m Spurs striker Keane from under Villa's nosesStoke near to £2.6m Pennant deal and target USA striker BuddleBIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail