McLeish targets Premier League survival

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will be happy to survive in the Premier League on goal difference – if it gives him another chance to emulate Saturday’s opponents Stoke City next season.

Birmingham take on Tony Pulis’ side at St Andrews with McLeish’s side in 16th and Stoke on the fringes of Europa League qualification in ninth.

The points difference between the two ‘small’ clubs is just six but McLeish is targeting survival and not a pretty points tally.

“The goal is to stay up, you can’t guarantee that but it’s what everyone is striving for whether it’s on 30-something or 40-something points or on goal difference it doesn’t really matter and I don’t want to speculate about these things,” McLeish said.

“I’d like to get all the points but I know how difficult it will be and it will be a huge challenge for us and the other teams will want to have something to say about it. If we show the same commitment we’ve shown in recent weeks then we can’t fault the players.”

McLeish has admired the work that Pulis has done at The Britannia, so much so that he hopes to copy their success.

“I said last year that we should try to emulate Stoke and they are a sort of role model for us,” McLeish said.

“They have spent a few quid, people call them ‘little Stoke’ but they have spent some money wisely and Tony Pulis knows what it takes to win and he gets his side over the line.”

McLeish could give a debut to former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, who joined on loan from Rubin Kazan in January, and Stoke could have their hands full if the Nigerian carries his training ground form into the game.

“He has trained this week and looked good, it was good to see him get his visa and I think he can bring something to the squad. He’s looking very sharp so I will consider him,” McLeish said.

Striker James McFadden and defender Scott Dann are both long-term absentees.

Ben Foster was left out of England’s midweek friendly with Denmark with a thumb injury but is in contention to play at the weekend.