Birmingham City - Chris Hughton says the heat isn't on to sell

Aug 21 2011 by Lee Gibson, Sunday Mercury

CHRIS Hughton last night insisted that he hasn’t felt any pressure from the top to move out any of Blues stars.

And he revealed that both he and the board would be happy if the transfer window shut and Scott Dann, Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic were still at the club.

That trio are the most in demand, although there has been more rumour and speculation than actual concrete offers into St Andrew’s for them.

“I haven’t felt any pressure financially,” said Hughton. “But I am conscious that if the players go, they will go because of financial reasons.

“Most people understand that. When I took the job I understood I was going to lose players, but only if the valuations were right.

“And I think the club will still be quite strong on that.

“If nothing happens and we keep them, then I would be delighted.

“As always, as a manager, you want the best players available. Those players are three very, very good players.

“And if we still have them, then we would all get on with it - myself, the club, the financial people.”

Hughton takes Blues to Middlesbrough today for Championship action (3pm).

In the week, while their rivals were locking horns with one another, Blues had Europa League commitments.

And the 0-0 draw at CD Nacional has given Blues a great chance to qualify from the play-offs and enter the group stage.

The second leg is at St Andrew’s on Thursday and already eager Blues fans are snapping up tickets for the historic tie.

Asked if Blues’ European exploits could give the club a lift in general, Hughton replied: “Yes, I think so.

“There’s no doubt the supporters want a European campaign. They certainly want it. I think there’s a big percentage of supporters who are very much looking forward to that.

“So yes, we will give everything we can to get through.

“What we also have to do is get through these next two weeks and end up with a squad that’s going to give us more numbers to cope.

“There is no doubt that, if we were to qualify, you can’t play the amount of games we would have to with a small squad, it’s almost impossible.”

Blues are without Jerome, Zigic, Marlon King, Morgaro Gomis and Jordon Mutch today.

Dann could be available after a slight calf injury.

“The strikers are not far away,” said Hughton. “We are probably looking at this next international break at hopefully being a good period for us.

“What we could see is Cameron available after that period, and also Marlon, and Zigic would have been involved in some good training and not far away.

“And of course that then puts a completely different complexion onto the squad.

“It has been difficult, having three players of that stature not available all this time.

“It certainly makes a difference to the squad.”

Jerome has a heel problem, King a knee injury and Zigic is recovering from groin surgery.

Today’s opponents Boro have started the season in fine fettle. They have won their last three games, all of them away from home.

“It will be a very tough one,” said Hughton. “They are very much in form.

“We played very well as a unit against Nacional and we will have to do that again.”

Whether Hughton keeps Liam Ridgewell in midfield, as the anchor, is probably dependent on Keith Fahey’s fitness.

He was not risked in Madeira because of a hip and groin problem but could be back at the Riverside.