McLeish eyes loan signings

Blues boss keen to bring in Man Utd players

Last updated: 6th June 2008

Alex McLeish Birmingham City Premier League Blackburn

McLeish: Looking to strengthen

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Alex McLeish has contacted Sir Alex Ferguson about the possibility of bringing Manchester United players to Birmingham on loan.

The Blues boss is keen to strengthen his squad before the start of the new Championship season and is ready to use the loan system available to him.

He has discussed his plans with former Aberdeen manager Ferguson but admits there is not likely to be much activity until later in the summer.

"We talk now and again and I spoke to him about the possibility of loan players, when the time comes," McLeish told the Birmingham Mail.

"It was before the Champions League final when we had a chat.

"But it's going to take a while (for Ferguson) to assess his squad. All the clubs in the Premier League have to do that.

"Again, it comes into that statement I made about July and August, that people will not make major decisions probably until those two months."

Taylor hope

McLeish is also hoping to keep veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor, whose current deal expires at the end of the month.

The 36-year-old has been at St Andrews since 2003 and McLeish is keen for him to help Birmingham in their push for promotion.

"I've not got any news in terms of Maik Taylor putting pen to paper - but I believe in negotiations we are pretty close," he said.

"Maik is as fit as a fiddle, finished the season very strongly. Dave Watson, our fitness coach, works really hard with the goalkeepers and Maik is in a tremendous state physically for his age.

"Goalkeepers can go on to the 40 mark. Big Maik is a superb specimen. I'm hoping he signs on the dotted line. If he decides not to, then I've got to cast the net and look for another keeper."