Birmingham chase defensive duo

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish could add defenders Martin Jiranek and Armand Traore to his squad before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

The Blues have lodged an offer to sign 20-year-old Arsenal full-back Traore on loan until the end of the season, while Birmingham are thought to have begun negotiations with Russian side Spartak Moscow over a cut-price deal for versatile defender Jiranek, whose contract expires in December.