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."