Blues opt against signing Benitez

Birmingham have decided not to take up the option of signing loan striker Christian Benitez permanently.

The Ecuador international has just completed a season-long loan at St Andrew's, scoring four times in 36 appearances, but will return to parent club Santos Laguna in Mexico.

Blues decided against making the move permanent, as they felt the £7million asking price was too high.

St Andrew's manager Alex McLeish said: "We did have an agreement that the previous board put in place. Benitez did very well for us.

"I am sorry to lose him but the deal was just too rich for us. My task now is to find someone who can do a better job.

"I have got to try to find a player who can be even better than him."

The manager is set to revamp his squad this summer and has parted company with midfielder Gary McSheffrey, plus defenders Franck Queudrue and Gregory Vignal. Midfielder Lee Carsley had already signalled his intention to leave St Andrew's.

But, as had been expected, McLeish is to offer a new deal to veteran former Albion and Villa striker Kevin Phillips and has also begun talks with full-back Stuart Parnaby over a new deal.

The Blues boss confirmed: "We will look to make a new offer to Kevin and he has bought into the role we want him to play now.

"Like all players, he would want to play but I said last season that I saw him being more effective as an impact player.

"That remains the case."