McLeish to deal with AWOL duo

Queudrue and Kapo miss first day of training

Last updated: 2nd July 2008

Alex McLeish Birmingham City

McLeish: Wants answers

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish plans talks with Franck Queudrue and Olivier Kapo after the duo missed the first day of training.

Following Blues' relegation from the Premier League last term, preparations for an immediate return started in earnest with the squad arriving for pre-season training on Tuesday.

However, Queudrue and Kapo were both absent, and McLeish now plans to 'deal with the situation' following the no-shows.

"It has been reported Franck said he didn't know the date to return to training, but all the players were told the date and they turned up," McLeish told the club's official website.

"He'll have to explain that one.

Handsome wages

"Olivier Kapo has indicated he was staying over in France to have an operation on his hand, but we don't know much more than that.

"We pay handsome wages to the players and they should be reporting to our medical team first and foremost if there's a problem of any kind.

"The bottom line is both should have been back here on the day that training was organised and I now have to deal with the situation."

Both players have been linked with a move away from St Andrews this summer, with Kapo rumoured to be wanted by former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce at Wigan Athletic.