Birmingham are 14/1 to finish in the top six this season but will have to kick off the campaign without Kevin Phillips after he picked up a thigh injury.

Phillips picked up the injury during Saturday’s friendly defeat by Real Mallorca and Blues boss Alex McLeish says he could be without the striker for a ‘considerable time’.

Scans have shown that the veteran has suffered a torn thigh muscle but McLeish believes although the injury does not look good, the striker will make a speedy recovery.

“Kevin has torn his thigh muscle and will be out for a while – it will be a considerable period,” McLeish revealed. “But he is a notoriously quick healer so anything will be a bonus.”

McLeish has been chasing a new striker all summer and now that he has lost Phillips his search will step up a notch before the closure of the transfer window.