Blues To Explore Far East Market

The Blues party will fly home on Wednesday after a successful two-week tour of China and Hong Kong - the homeland of club owner Carson Yeung - and have won a trio of friendly matches.

They are already planning to open academies to try and attract the best youngsters. But Blues manager Alex McLeish is also mindful of making sure the players they pursue and nurture are good enough to play in the Barclays Premier League.

McLeish said: "Because of our Asia contacts, we should be spreading the net out here and getting them (potential players) when they are younger.

"I am willing to explore the market. You look at the guys in the past from the Far East who have been great ambassadors."

Source: PA