McLeish poised to swoop

Alex McLeish is hopeful of bringing more new faces to Birmingham this week as AZ Alkmaar's Kemy Agustien is set to join on a loan deal.

The 21-year-old is expected to sign a one-year loan deal with City and could make the switch a permanent arrangement if he impresses at St Andrews in the Championship next season.

Agustien follows Lee Carsley and Marcus Bent into the Blues squad, but McLeish is on the look out for more new signings ahead of the new season which starts against Sheffield United at St Andrew's on August 9.

"I'm trying to do some deals at the moment to give the fans a bit of interest," he told the Blues website.

"It's gone a wee bit quiet but I'm hopeful we can make announcements this week so we can go into the season with a strong squad and great optimism."

McLeish added: "At the moment we've got 17 players, including two goalkeepers.

"We are looking at having a squad of 20 senior players and then we'll work the loan system or bring in two or three young players.

"I have been in touch with one of two Premier League managers about loans but one or two players I asked about were unavailable."