Hleb back in training for Blues

Birmingham midfielder Alex Hleb has resumed training after being sidelined for almost a month with a hamstring injury.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is hoping the on-loan Barcelona player will start to show his best form after “playing catch-up in terms of fitness” since arriving at St Andrew’s.

Former Arsenal star Hleb was showing encouraging signs when he suffered the injury during the 1-1 draw at Fulham in late November.

McLeish said: “He is training well. The guys who are with him, say he’s been working very hard.

“He came to us half-fit from Barcelona. I don’t think he had a full pre-season which is what you definitely need as a player.

“Sometimes you have got to build on a player’s mentality and confidence as well as his fitness.

“Alex is playing catch-up in terms of fitness but we’ve been encouraged by the work he has put in this last week.”

McLeish reiterated that he will look to strengthen his squad with proven quality during the January transfer window.

He said: “We are looking to add some quality and the board and myself are looking at it together.

“We know January can be difficult with inflated prices but there are a few names out there we are looking at.

“I think anyone we bring in has to be proven, people who know their way about the English game.”

McLeish has still to decide whether to pursue his interest in signing Los Angeles Galaxy striker Edson Buddle, who is currently training with the club.