McLeish link to Cardiff hitman

Birmingham were today linked with former Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd as boss Alex McLeish hunts extra firepower.

The Scot, preparing for Sunday's derby at Villa, wants at least one new striker after his aborted £10m January move for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and morning reports suggest he is eyeing Cardiff hotshot Bothroyd.

The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals this season with Dave Jones' Bluebirds having secured a place in the Championship play-offs and a shot at the Premier Lea-gue.

Kris Boyd is on McLeish's radar, with the St Andrew's chief having held talks with the out-of-contract Rangers star, but £1.5m rated Bothroyd is reportedly also on his hit-list.

He has 12 months remaining on his Cardiff contract but financial problems could force them to sell their prized asset should they fail to reach the top flight.

The former England Under-21 international ma-de 60 appearances, scoring 12 goals, in two years at Molineux before he was sold to Cardiff for £300,000 in 2008.

Meanwhile, Blues have dismissed any interested in Dundee United defender Garry Kenneth. Recent reports in Scotland linked them with a £1m move for the star.

By Nick Mashiter