Thrifty Scot McLeish not about to blow all of Yeung's £40m Birmingham kitty

31 December 2009 12:50
Careful: City manager McLeish[LNB]Alex McLeish may spend only a fraction of the £40million promised to him by Birmingham owner Carson Yeung for new recruits during the January transfer window.[LNB]McLeish expects to bring in 'two or three' players and is being strongly linked with Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Ryan Babel (Liverpool) and Michel (Sporting Gijon).   [LNB]But City's flying start to the Barclays Premier League - they currently lie in seventh spot - means McLeish will not make any panic buys.   [LNB]The former Scotland boss said: 'I am sure when you are in, or just about the relegation zone, you start to make rash decisions and panic, and maybe spend more money than you should. I am not a great fan of the January window because it is a panic-buy window. [LNB]'We are in the position where I don't have to spend anywhere near the money that was mentioned when the new owners came in.   [LNB]'We can be prudent, do our diligence and try and bring two or three players that will keep us ticking over nicely.   [LNB]'Our league position is a bit false because we've punched way above our weight. But we want to try and remain as close as possible to where we are.'[LNB]McLeish added: 'At the end of the day, normally players only worry about the contract and the package and what the money is.   [LNB]'I would like to think we can bring players with a bit of character who want to achieve the way this dressing room is achieving at the moment.   [LNB] Speculation: N'Zogbia (left) and Babel have been linked with moves to St Andrew's[LNB]'People say to me "Charles N'Zogbia is keen to come" but I've got no comment about that because Charles N'Zogbia is a Wigan player.   [LNB]'We've got a number of players under scrutiny at the moment and I'm not going to mention any names because it would be tantamount to tapping up another club's player.'[LNB]McLeish will have to make at least one change for Saturday's FA Cup clash at Nottingham Forest as defender Stephen Carr is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the win at Stoke on Monday.  [LNB] Heart to Hart places Birmingham keeper Joe in frame for an England callAston Villa join Man City in race for West Brom ace Paul DowningGordon Strachan wants Marcus Bent to solve Middlesborough striker crisisWaiting for Levein's call: Birmingham's Ferguson opens door to ScotlandTHE FIRING LINE: Who will follow Hughes and Megson out of the door?BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail