McLeish ready to play Michel

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is ready to thrust Michel straight into action after revealing only spent £1million has been spent on the midfielder so far.

The Portugese ace reportedly moved from Sporting Gijon for £3m but McLeish reveals Blues have only paid a £1m down payment.

Michel has mixed well with the squad during their mid-season break in Malta this week and McLeish says, even though he is still looking to bring players in, the 24-year-old has impressed him.

McLeish, who takes his side to Chelsea on Wednesday, said: "We spent a million on a down payment on Michel and the Craig Gardner link is there but we'll try and do something before the end of the window to help the squad.

"Michel has been out with the boys for a week now and it won't be an overnight job but he's capable having played in La Liga. If he's called upon sooner rather than later he'll be alright."

Michel is McLeish's only January signing but Blues are close to striking a deal with Villa for Gardner and the boss confirmed his interest in Rangers hitman Kris Boyd yesterday.

The Scot reiterated his plans not to blow the reported £40m handed to him by owner Carson Yeung but hasn't ruled out a big deal in the last week of the window.

He said: "I never really wanted to spend the amount of money which was mentioned. I'm not going to get anywhere near to that and nor do I want to but there will be scope for me to do something with regards to other players.

"It depends who it was and it depends on the wage levels which accompany them."