Hleb set for Blues bow at Hawthorns

16 September 2010 17:25
Alex McLeish is to give Alexander Hleb his Birmingham debut this weekend but is unsure whether to start the midfielder against West Brom.[LNB] Hleb signed a loan deal from Barcelona on the last day of the transfer window, but missed Blues' match against Liverpool with an ankle injury picked up while playing for Belarus.[LNB]McLeish revealed that he has not yet decided what kind of role Hleb will have at The Hawthorns.[LNB]"He's looking quite good," he said.[LNB]"It was great to see him on the training field, he has undoubted quality.[LNB]"He's a little bit behind the other players in terms of games played. He had two international games that would have really sharpened him up but he came back with slight injuries.[LNB]"He's trained this week and looks good. I just have to make a decision as to whether I throw him right in or whether he comes on from the bench."[LNB]Chilean Jean Beausejour, who also signed for Blues on deadline day, is likely to be amongst McLeish's substitutes.[LNB]He lacks match fitness, having only just ironed out problems with his work permit.[LNB]McLeish said: "Again, I've seen him for the first time in a training session (on Thursday). He had problems with a visa coming back into the country.[LNB]"He did a session on Wednesday, which was the other players' day off.[LNB]"He looks strong, he looks quick, and I think he's a player that will excite the fans."

Source: Team_Talk