Alex McLeish admits interest in Irish midfielder Keith Fahey

Nov 21 2008 By Colin Tattum

Blues are looking at experienced hands, plus up and coming pretenders like Fahey.

"It came about through a contact," he said. "We've no shortage in that department.

"Sometimes it's even a letter from somebody alerting us to some boys in smaller leagues.

"You have then got to evaluate whether it's because he's playing against players who are not at that high a level, is that why he's looking so good? So that's why you have to try and do as much homework as possible."

West Ham and Sunderland have also been linked with Fahey, and Celtic have been watching him.

As for Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair, who McLeish asked about in July, he said: "We have not made any inquiries there."

Quashie's loan is due to expire at midnight on Saturday.

Blues have agreed to extend it until December 28 and are waiting for the Hammers to rubber-stamp the agreement.

McLeish said: "We will take it as it comes, get Nigel to a level where he can make a contribution, which he did last weekend against Charlton Athletic.

"Apart from the sending-off, which he was a wee bit unlucky with, he felt he slipped as he tapped the ankle from behind, he did well.

"The first booking, retaliation, I can sympathise with him because for a guy who has been out for 15 months he was on the end of a shocking tackle, a shocking tackle, and the boy [Lloyd Sam] fell down as if he had been hit in the face when you could see clearly he was hit with the chest. He's obviously been watching too much South American football."