Nikola Zigic set to sign for Blues

Towering Serbia striker Nikola Zigic looks set to sign for Birmingham after undergoing a medical.

The 6ft 8ins Valencia forward has been on Blues boss Alex McLeish's radar for some time and flew in for tests yesterday evening ahead of a deal worth around £6million.

McLeish has been linked with several strikers in recent weeks, including West Ham's Carlton Cole and Fulham's Bobby Zamora.

The manager is maintaining his policy of not commenting on potential signings until any deal has been completed, although confirming bids have been put in for players.

But McLeish, who is believed to have had an £8m bid for Charles N'Zogbia rejected by Wigan, has assured the club are busy at work in the transfer market.

He said: "There are irons in the fire. We've been linked with one or two players, we have put in bids for players.

"It would be unfair of me to talk about names at the moment. It would be unfair to the clubs and also to the fans if things don't happen.

"But I think they will be excited about one or two of the names we are pursuing and what we are trying to add to the squad is players of quality."

Zigic has been tipped by Serbia coach Raddy Antic to be one of the stars of the World Cup after netting 16 times in 42 internationals.

The 29-year-old made his name at Red Star Belgrade with 71 goals in 110 games before moving to Racing Santander.

A £15million switch to Valencia flopped, as Zigic returned to Santander for a loan spell in 2009 and last season scored nine goals in 28 games back at his parent club.

Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome has welcomed Zigic's imminent arrival, despite the threat to his own place likely to be posed by the new signing.

He said: "I think if you are looking to push on as a team, as a club, you've got to have quality competition.

Jerome, who has seen his goal tally for last season rise to 11 after being credited with the opener in the 2-0 win over Burnley earlier this month by the Dubious Goals Committee, has also backed Kevin Phillips to continue his role as super-sub at St Andrew's next season.

The 36-year-old has been offered a fresh deal and Jerome believes the veteran can continue to be the ace up Blues' sleeve.

He said: "We saw this season that he's still very capable of scoring goals - and important ones too.

"When he's come on as a substitute he has had this knack of picking up the pace of a game and knowing just where the goal is, getting into the right positions."