Last Updated: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:23
Alex McLeish has described Birmingham's attempt to sign FC Brussels midfielder Zola Matumona as "futile".
The Congo international joined Blues for their pre-season tour in Austria, but McLeish has cooled his interest in the 26-year-old because of complications obtaining a work permit for him.
"The one with Zola, that's unlikely now," McLeish told the Birmingham Mail. "The work permit is going to be difficult."
He added: "It's a shame because he would have been a skilful addition to the squad.
"But it looks futile. The agents seemed to think it was a no-brainer from the beginning but, from the experience we've had in the past, checking out the criteria, it's not going to happen."