Upwards for Alex McLeish and Blues

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has warned his players they cannot afford to stand still next season.

The manager steered Blues to promotion from the Championship 12 months ago and then to an ninth place finish in the Premier League - their highest position for 51 years.

McLeish is stepping up his bid to bring a new striker to St Andrew's and has been linked with a move for Valencia's Nikola Zigic, who could cost around £6million, while an £8million bid for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia has already been rejected.

They have also been linked with a £6million move for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who is now the subject of other interest from Russian club Spartak Moscow.

Blues are also still in the running for West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Fulham's Bobby Zamora, with the amount of cash the club are willing to spend is an indication they are looking to push for the next level.

And McLeish will be leading the charge, looking to build on the sterling work already done at St Andrew's in the last 12 months.

He said: "As a more experienced manager than me said recently, it sometimes costs you just to stand still.

"If ninth is not for us next year - and you see what happened to West Ham and Sunderland, although I never felt they would be in any trouble - you can be sure it won't be for lack of effort."

Of his transfer targets, McLeish insists efforts are being stepped up.

He said: "We're making progress in the striking department. But we're going to have to be patient.

"I can't divulge any names at this moment, but we're making good progress on three or four."

The Blues boss also "doesn't envisage any hold-ups" with his new contract.

McLeish is relaxed about the situation and still has 12 months remaining of his current deal.

But his advisors have now made contact and the former Rangers boss is optimistic the situation will be resolved soon.

He confirmed" "They have made contact now and I'm hoping that something can get done fairly quickly."