Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

Zarate set for bench role

16 Feb 2008 - 10:13:10

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has backed loan signing Mauro Zarate to make his mark for the Blues in the coming months.

The 20-year-old Argentinian has joined the St Andrew's club on loan from Qatar-based Al Sadd and has so far made two appearances as a substitute for McLeish's side.

The Scotsman told the Birmingham Mail: "It's not easy for Zarate to come right into the team. As a 20-year-old he's a player we hope will make an impact rather than be a starter.

"It would be nice to think we could throw him right in and we'd get a brilliant return.

"He can beat people easily, but the main thing we're looking for from him is when he does beat people that we get an end product.

"So I will go with experience, the tried and trusted, but Zarate is very much in the plans and he will be involved on the bench at least."