McLeish backing for Bowyer

Bowyer played a key role in tandem with Barry Ferguson in steering Blues to a top-10 finish in the Premier League last season. But he was axed for the opening home league game of the campaign against Blackburn, with McLeish preferring Craig Gardner who justified his call-up with two goals. Since then Bowyer has had to play mainly out of position on the left flank, with Gardner given the more central role and licence to go forward. But the 33-year-old could be back in the middle for tomorrow's home clash with Everton as Gardner starts a three-game ban for his red card against Wigan. McLeish said: "I don't want a player who is happy when he is dropped and Lee is a proud guy. "He played a major role last season in the middle with Barry Ferguson. They formed a great partnership. "It really was a risk taking a player like Lee out of the team last season. He got six goals last season. "On that day I was proved right with Gardner coming in and scoring two goals. "It didn't mean that Lee wouldn't have scored two goals - we'll never know that - and it's my right to chop and change the team. "But I have certainly got no doubts about Lee's ability and what he brings to this side when selected. "Bow is 33 but he's got great legs, he runs for fun and he's still got a great engine. "There's no red mist or rush of blood as there was in yesteryear, he's pretty mature now." McLeish is still searching for the right combination in terms of Birmingham's attacking options after the last two home games with Liverpool and Wigan ended in goalless draws. He said: "When you don't score, despite getting chances, then at the other end it puts more pressure on the players and they've always got to be on their toes right to the very end. "I'm glad to say there have been some terrific performances of concentration and resilience from the back lads. "But for the strikers, the gauntlet is down and I'm looking for them to get the ball in the back of the net. "We took about 11 games to get a partnership (Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez) going last season and they ended up as two very dangerous customers. "Cameron has carried on his good form. "He's got one goal but could have had four by now. He's got to keep working on his finishing skills and we're also looking to others to pick up the gauntlet." McLeish admits it may take summer signing Nikola Zigic, who joined from Valencia, time to adjust to the Premier League. He said: "If you listen to people like Arsene Wenger, he says foreign players take six months to a year to settle in. "Zigic is still adjusting to English football. The pace and the physicality is completely different to European football. "It is slow build-up stuff and they wait for the right moment to get the ball forward. "The big fellow has got his goals over the years. "He's going to have to adapt to England and it is difficult for us to adapt to the way he has been playing."