McLEISH HOPES FOR N'ZOGBIA MOVE
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is hoping for positive news from Wigan after making an improved bid for the Latics' winger Charles N'Zogbia.The Scot is a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old French international, who seems destined for a move from the DW Stadium after his attitude was questioned by Latics boss Roberto Martinez.
McLeish would not be drawn on the size of the offer, although Blues have already had an £8million offer rejected, and says he is now waiting on a response from their Premier League rivals.
He explained: "We've put in another bid for Charles, we can only wait and see if it's successful.
"We're awaiting Wigan's response. At the same time we're in the hands of the gods in terms of the other offers. If there are other clubs in for him, then we have to wait and see."But we've tried - and we've tried our best. The board have worked hard to make these kind of things happen."
Sunderland, managed by former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, Juventus and Fiorentina have also been linked with a move for the former Newcastle player, who was left out of the opening day 4-0 defeat against Blackpool after Martinez criticised his attitude.
However, the Wigan boss has dismissed reports of a rift between the pair and introduced N'Zogbia as a substitute in the closing stages of Tuesday's 3-0 Carling Cup second round win at Hartlepool.
Birmingham take on Rochdale tonight in the Carling Cup second round - McLeish's first home match in the competition since he took over at St Andrew's in November 2007.
He told his club's official website,
www.bcfc.com: "It's refreshing to have a home Carling Cup tie - and we'll go into the match with confidence."
"We face a team from a lower division so the expectation and pressure is on us to perform and get a result."
Blues have picked up four points from their first two Barclays Premier League matches and McLeish will make changes for the visit of the League One side.
Stephen Carr will be rested after playing with a toe problem, while fellow defender Liam Ridgewell has a calf injury.
McLeish added: "Stephen has been having injections. He's soldiered through it and hates missing training and games - hats off to him - but it's time to give him a break.
"Liam has had a niggling calf problem - so it's an opportunity to rest him. Maybe in the international week we will see players getting some respite altogether."
However, the Scot added: "It's a chance for me to do a bit of rotation with players who've been kicking their heels."
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