McLeish hits new striker trail

Alex McLeish's top priority is to bring a new striker to Birmingham this summer following Mikael Forssell's exit to Hannover.

The 27-year-old Finland international joined the German Bundesliga outfit on a three-year deal on Friday after the Blues failed to agree new terms with him on the option of a new two-year deal at St Andrews. Forssell was already on over £30,000 a week and was due a pay increase, while City were hoping he would accept a pay cut following their relegation back to the Championship.

However he has decided to move on and, with Mauro Zarate returning to Qatar side Al-Sadd after his loan spell, that leaves boss McLeish on the look out for at least one new hitman to join up with James McFadden, Cameron Jerome and Gary O'Connor for next season.

On Forssell's exit, a reported Blues source was quoted in the Birmingham Mail saying: "This was a tough one. Mikael has served the club with distinction, has been a model professional and is a popular guy.

"But because of his knee problems, one more bad injury and he could be finished and we had to weigh up all the risks.

"Also, this gives the manager the opportunity to reshape the team further to his liking and bring in someone new and fresh."