Blues warning for new-boy Zigic

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has told new signing Nikola Zigic not to expect too much time away from pre-season training despite his World Cup exploits with Serbia this summer.

The towering frontman, who signed from Valencia in a £6million deal, will link up with his new team-mates ahead of their tour of Hong Kong and China that begins on July 14.

Speaking to reporters, McLeish said:"He certainly didn't play as many games as the lads in our squad last season when, for a long time, we fielded virtually an unchanged team.

"He should be fine and in any case we've got to get him up to a level of fitness where he's ready for the Premier League.

"We will be showing Nikola some of the footage from last season which should give him a good insight into what he should expect.

"The Premier League is rough, tough and, while Nikola is a big lad, the Premier League is hard in terms of aggression and that different style of football."

Meanwhile, McLeish is on the hunt for a new number two after Roy Aitken departed to team up with David O'Leary at Dubai-based side Al Ahli.

Speaking to the club's official website, McLeish added:"Naturally I am very disappointed to lose an extremely valued member of Birmingham City Football Club. He is respected by everyone at the club.

"I have got a great relationship with Roy and he is well liked and respected by the players.

"But he has received an offer that he couldn't refuse and I totally understand the decision he has made for himself and his family."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email