Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has played down the club's chances of signing highly-rated FC Brussels midfielder Zola Matumona.The Congo international has been on trial with Blues during the recent pre-season tour in Austria, but McLeish concedes obtaining a work permit for the 26-year-old appears unlikely.

"The one with Zola, that's unlikely now," McLeish told the Birmingham Mail. "The work permit is going to be difficult.

"It's a shame because he would have been a skilful addition to the squad.

"But it looks futile. The agents seemed to think it was a no-brainer from the beginning but, from the experience we've had in the past, checking out the criteria, it's not going to happen."

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