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ALEX McLeish remains determined to add to his squad before the transfer window shuts.

Defender Bobo Balde remains his top target, but despite several rounds of talks no agreement has yet been reached.

McLeish, though, hopes a deal can be done.

It has been reported Blues have offered Balde, who is available on a free transfer, a basic wage of £22,000-a-week, plus £10,000 appearance fee.

But Balde is said to be holding out for a pay-off from Celtic before he departs.

MEHDI Nafti's hamstring injury is not too bad, but he should still be sidelined for a minimum two weeks.

The midfielder had to be withdrawn seven minutes before half-time at Southampton after suffering a small tear in his left leg.

Manager Alex McLeish said: "Scans have shown that Mehdi has a grade one tear. It's a very small tear and [head physiotherapist] Tim Williamson says clinically it's not bad."

Fellow Tunisian Radhi Jaidi made his comeback from a hamstring strain in yesterday's 2-1 reserve team victory over Crewe Alexandra at Wast Hills.
The centre-half came off during the first-half of Blues pre-season friendly against Fulham.
Meanwhile, Krystian Pearce has joined Scunthorpe United on a month's loan.
The defender spent spells at Notts County and Port Vale last season.

A CLOCK chosen by supporters in memory of one of Birmingham City's greatest ever players will get a timely unveiling at the home game against Doncaster Rovers in September.

The timepiece, which will take pride of place on the St Andrew's Main Stand, has been commissioned by the Board of Directors of Birmingham City FC to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of defender Jeff Hall.

After he passed away, a clock was erected in his name at St Andrew's but was unfortunately stolen when the stand was replaced. Now the club are set to mark the anniversary by bringing back the clock.

Hall's former team-mates Gil Merrick and Alex Govan have agreed to unveil the clock at the match on September 13.

THEY'VE got a 'singing section' now down St Andrew's, something I've never been convinced about.

A bit contrived. If fans are going to sing, they're going to sing. You can't force them.

Something, though, does seem to be stirring among the masses. We all know the two usual standards that roll down from the stands.

I was never sure about the 'Volare' Muamba refugee, now he's quality, chant but you kind of sensed where it was coming from.

But there are a few more songs being added to the repertoire.

DEFENSIVE strength will be the key to promotion, Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor has stated.

Blues' impressive array of strikers may be taking all the plaudits after the side's unbeaten start to the season but the fact that only one goal has been conceded in three games has almost gone unnoticed.

The inability to keep clean sheets was a major factor in Blues' relegation last season as they kept only three shut outs throughout the campaign.

Taylor, who has formed a formidable partnership with Liam Ridgewell at the heart of the defence, believes that their new found defensive solidity will be vital during the coming campaign.

"We would have liked to have kept a clean sheet at Southampton because that will be the crux of getting promoted," Taylor said. "If we are unable to score a lot of goals then there need to be plenty of clean sheets. We have been working on that a lot.

"It isn't just me and Liam though, we have been working hard on our shape and that was what was missing in the first half at St Mary's. We had it in the second half and when you have that good shape it is difficult for teams to break through and we want to keep as many clean sheets as possible."