Bruce's Max-imum effort to sign new man

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is stepping up his bid to sign a defender before the transfer window closes with Hammarby’s Max Von Schlebrugge and Slavia Prague’s Martin Latka targets.

Bruce has confirmed that Blues have contacted Hammarby with a view to trying to take 28-year-old Swede Von Schlebrugge on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

And sources close to Latka indicate that the club are also interested in signing the Czech Republic Under-21 international.

Slavia are understood to be ready to allow Latka to leave for around £1.8m (€2.6m) and a temporary addition in Von Schlebrugge may prove more attractive to Bruce.

Bruce would only say: “An enquiry has been made about bringing in Von Schlebrugge on loan.”

His agent Patrick Englund confirmed: “An interest has been shown in Max by Birmingham as one of a few clubs.”