Redknapp: Birmingham need more signings or face ‘difficult’ season

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp has bemoaned the club’s lack of transfers, warning his side face a ‘difficult’ season if no new faces arrive this week.

The Blues have made three signings this summer, with former Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale, ex-Barnsley captain Marc Roberts and Angers midfielder Cheikh N’Doye all joining the Midlands club.

However, while Ravel Morrison and Simeon Slavchev are also on trial at St Andrew’s, Redknapp has been left disappointed with the club’s lack of ability to bring in more reinforcements for the upcoming season.

John Terry was heavily linked with Birmingham, before joining bitter rivals Aston Villa, while interest in the likes of Robbie Keane and Ashley Cole has come to nothing, and Redknapp said: “We’re a little bit short at the moment.

“We need to improve the squad this week if we can.

“We’ve been trying, but it’s been very difficult to get the players in who we’ve been chasing. Hopefully we’ll get there – it’s not been through lack of effort.”

A central defender is one of Birmingham’s transfer priorities, especially after missing out on Terry, and Redknapp has confirmed his interest in Bristol City’s Aden Flint – who is also a target for Leeds United – after Nathan Baker joined the Robins.

Ryan Shotton has been linked with a move away from St Andrew’s, so the likes of FIint could be much-needed heading into Saturday’s season opener against Ipswich, with potentially just two-centre backs in the Birmingham squad.

Redknapp told BBC West Midlands: “I like him [Flint] but we’ll only pay what we can – if he’s too expensive then we’ll move on.