Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has admitted Michel is struggling to get to grips with the English game and warns the Spanish midfielder must be right to play.

The £3million signing has started just two games for Blues since his January move from Sporting Gjion, thanks to the form of Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer.

Fellow January capture Craig Gardner has also jumped ahead of him in the pecking order and McLeish agrees Michel is struggling with his lack of action.

He said: “We’ve got to pick Michel up. He’s not in a great moment, psychologically, from not being in the team and not getting as much game play as he wanted.

“I do think Michel has been short of fitness and sharpness. He needs to be ready for next season and it’s all about being professional about it.

“He’s earning good money and he cost us a few bob, so he’s got to show he possesses the character to be a part of this club. But the two midfielders have been exceptional in front of him.

“Two experienced midfielders, two of the best in the league, for my money this season.”

McLeish always intended to ease the 24-year-old into English football and has told him to accept it will take time to adapt to a different culture.

The manager said: “Even Xabi Alonso took time. Michel has to realise and have a look at that, see the other ones who haven’t come right in and made the position their own.

“He’s got competition ahead of him and it’s up to him. I hope this experience benefits him. For now it’s a bit of an educational period for him. I’ve tried to tell him and tell his advisors that.

“I did plan to play him after we had reached 40 points but every human being is entitled to change his mind.

“I felt Michel wasn’t ready in terms of the physical, even tactical, and mental side.”

But McLeish insists Michel is part of his plans ahead of the final three Premier League games of the season – starting with the derby at Villa on Sunday.

He added: “One thing I do know is that he can play. But there are so many other facets to the game to being a top class player.”