No way to top-six for Alex McLeish

Manager Alex McLeish has admitted it is "nigh on impossible" for Birmingham to become an established top-six Premier League club.

The Blues boss is aware expectation levels have risen among supporters after his team finished ninth last season.

But the manager has echoed the thoughts of former City manager Trevor Francis, who feels a top-six berth is an unrealistic aspiration.

McLeish said: "It is ludicrous to suggest that and it is incredible that some people think that. My experiences in the game tell me it is nigh on impossible.

"We can all dream and have ambition but there are about eight teams in there who, over a length of the season, will always come to the fore.

"Then the rest are fighting for the other places. If we come ninth again, it will be phenomenal. I would judge that even better than last season.

"Finishing in the top 17 is our priority again."

The manager will make wholesale changes for tonight's Carling Cup third round visit of MK Dons with summer signings Nikola Zigic, Matt Derbyshire, Jean Beausejour and Martin Jiranek all set to start.

Keith Fahey, Michel and Alexander Hleb will also be included in the starting line-up as McLeish rests several members of his current league line-up, while former Albion and Villa striker Kevin Phillips is in the squad for the first time this season.

Beausejour is in line for his full debut after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Albion, with the Blues boss keen to pitch him back in.

McLeish said: "At the weekend, circumstances weren't ideal for him when he went on but he got a wee taste of it.

"He is adjusting as well, bodyclock-wise, after the travelling from South America and it would be nice to get him in action as quickly as possible.

"We are looking to him to get to the byline, get crosses in and get into scoring situations with his left peg."