January defender raid mooted

Birmingham are reported to be lining up a £1.5million swoop for Bolton defender Danny Shittu in January.

Trotters boss Gary Megson signed Shittu from Watford in the summer for £2million but the player has struggled for action as Andy O'Brien and Gary Cahill have dominated the two centre-half positions so far this season.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish wants a new central defender and could be ready to offer Shittu first-team football but it is thought Megson would be reluctant to sell.

The Bolton boss has little cover at the back for Cahill and O'Brien and would want to get a replacement in first before even considering letting Shittu move to the Midlands.