Bruce ponders changes
Birmingham mananger Steve Bruce has admitted there has to be a radical overhaul of his squad this summer if they cling on to their Barclays Premiership status.
Several Blues players will be out of contract at the end of the season including Mario Melchiot, captain Kenny Cunningham, Jamie Clapham and Stan Lazaridis.
And Bruce also has to assess the fitness levels of other people and decide whether or not to bring in younger blood.
City have given the impression of being stale at times this season and lack a level of pace and power that is evident in other teams.
Bruce told PA Sport: “There has definitely got to be a huge look at things if we get out of this position and we have to reassess the whole situation in the summer.
“No more can I have a team that has four or five people missing for the best part of 18 months. It can’t survive, a squad of 22 players, and three or four of them missing for all of that time.
“There are also people getting older and that has to be addressed in the summer. But the immediate priority is to try and stay in this division.”
Bruce added: “If we stay in the Premiership, one thing you are going to look at is the back four. They have been fantastic over three to four years.
“Cunningham and Upson for the best part of three years have been fantastic. We know Kenny is not getting any younger. I wish I could find another one of his kind for nothing.
“Mario is out of contract in the summer and the left-back situation has always seemed to be a problem for me since I’ve been here. Stan is not getting any younger.”
Bruce admits Upson’s groin problem is giving cause for concern and he is to have a second injection this week in the hope he will be fit enough to face Tottenham on Saturday.
Bruce said: “Matty has had one injection. It is now six weeks he has been out and, when something like that is six weeks, you do worry. It is usually 21 days.
“It is giving him concern. He has had an injection and will have a further one this coming week.”
