Key men return for Blues

Birmingham will welcome back several key players for Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash with West Ham at Upton Park.Barry Ferguson, skipper Stephen Carr, Ben Foster, Roger Johnson and Liam Ridgewell were all rested for the 4-1 FA Cup win at Millwall on Saturday.Midfielder Sebastian Larsson is included in the squad despite being given permission to speak to Newcastle over a possible move.Striker Matt Derbyshire will be hoping his two goals at the New Den will bolster his chances of starting against Avram Grant's side.

Dann backs old boys to step up

Birmingham defender Scott Dann reckons last season's stars will be stepping up their game to keep the summer's new arrivals out of the side. Alex McLeish brought in seven new faces over the summer, notably three on deadline day in Alexander Hleb, Martin Jiranek and Jean Beausejour. The Blues have responded with an unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign with a win and three draws, giving them a healthy fifth place in the table at this early stage. "At the end of last season we lost quite a few players and we knew coming back this season we needed strengthening," Dann told City's official website.

"We were hoping the manager could get as much money as possible to bring in as much quality as possible and he's finally done that now to the extent that he could. "I think when any new player comes into a club it keeps you on your toes and brings out the best in you as a player and as a person. I think all the lads will be having a little look over their shoulder and thinking 'hang on a minute he's not having my place' and step up to the plate.

Beausejour Joins Blues

Jean Beausejour has joined Blues from Mexican outfit Club America. The 26-year-old Chilean winger has signed for Blues for an undisclosed fee and has put pen to paper on a three year contract at St Andrews. Jean Beausejour (Birmingham City) Information Date of birth Friday, 1st June 1984 Height 5ft 10in Place of birth Santiago Weight 13st 3lb International Chile Position Midfielder Comments Squad No. Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards) Team Debut Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows Reds Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards) Season First App. Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows Reds Appearances 0; Goals 0; Yellow cards 0; Red cards 0.

Birmingham up off for Wigan midfielder N'Zogbia

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has confirmed the club have made an improved bid for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia. The Scot is a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old French international, who seems destined for a move from the DW Stadium after his attitude was questioned by Latics boss Roberto Martinez. McLeish would not be drawn on the size of the offer, although Blues have already had an £8million offer rejected, and says he is now waiting on a response from their Premier League rivals. McLeish said: "We have made another bid for Charles and we wait to see if it's successful or not."

He added: "We're awaiting Wigan's response. At the same time we're in the hands of the gods in terms of the other offers. If there are other clubs in for him, then we have to wait and see. "But we've tried - and we've tried our best. The board have worked hard to make these kind of things happen." McLeish admitted N'Zogbia is just one of several targets - but is not considering any of them a done deal. He added: "There are a few other players. Again, it's difficult getting them over the line. That's going to be the hardest part.

"The deadline comes on Tuesday at 5pm and I'm sure it will be a mad scramble again. Getting players in place is going to be the most difficult thing. "I don't have to name my 25-man squad until after the window closes, so that will be dictated by players who arrive or don't arrive."

Carsley makes Sky Blues return

Coventry City manager Aidy Boothroyd has completed the free transfer signing of stalwart midfielder Lee Carsley on a one-year deal. The 36-year-old returns to the Sky Blues eight years after parting ways to join Everton, later completing a switch to hometown club Birmingham in 2008. He was released by Alex McLeish at the end of last season and now joins Gary McSheffrey in returning to Coventry from St Andrew's. Manager Aidy Boothroyd said: "Lee has a track record as a winner. He is a leader and has played at the highest level and knows what is required to win on a regular basis. "Any good team needs a balance of talent, experience, physical presence, pace and, obviously, footballing ability. I want Lee to be the glue that binds the team together because he has all of those."

McLeish- OConnor still has work to do

Boss Alex McLeish has stressed Garry O'Connor still faces a battle to get back into first-team contention despite seeing the striker grab a late winner in Birmingham's 3-2 win over a Hong Kong XI.O'Connor was sidelined for the majority of last season following a double hip operation but was nevertheless handed a new six-month deal with an option of a further six.The 27-year-old Scot was introduced during the second-half of the pre-season friendly - Birmingham's first of their three-match Far East tour - at Hong Kong Stadium and netted his side's third goal two minutes from the end when he sidefooted home Nikola Zigic's lay-off.

McLeish hopes that O'Connor can potentially have a big part to play this term provided he can regain his former sharpness."Garry O'Connor has a little bit to go," said the Scot. "He's come back from career-threatening injuries, he's had two hip injuries, two operations at the same time which is quite unheard of for footballers, so he has got a big battle ahead of him."We decided to be honourable and give Garry six months to prove that he is over the injuries and when you see the way he can finish - Garry O'Connor's a very, very good finisher with both feet and he's decent in the air - if he can get opportunities like that, then of course he can be an asset to us."

McLeish keen to complete summer spending

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish admits he is anxious to complete his summer transfer business as soon as possible to avoid a deadline-day scramble to strengthen his squad.City have already signed goalkeeper Ben Foster and Serbia striker Nikola Vidic as well as agreeing new contracts with a number of existing first-team players but McLeish is keen to add to a group that took Blues to ninth place last season on their return to the Premier League.The Scot is looking specifically at acquiring at least another striker and a left-back.

Birmingham have been linked with a number of forwards as well as reportedly having a £1.25million bid turned down by Crystal Palace for defender Nathaniel Clyne.And McLeish, currently in Hong Kong for Birmingham's three-match tour of the region and China, revealed he has discussed potential targets with president Carson Yeung and was eager to move quickly."We've had a chat me and Carson last night, things are moving forward, we're trying to bring new players for the new season," he said. "The market has slowed up a little bit and I don't see any other clubs doing too much business either, I think people are waiting, being patient."As long as I don't go into August scrambling for players then we should be okay. Carson has pledged his support in terms of bringing other players, so no problem."